U.S. patent number 10,375,615 [Application Number 14/395,305] was granted by the patent office on 2019-08-06 for information processing device, information processing method, and program.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Sony Corporation. The grantee listed for this patent is Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to Toshinori Kanemoto, Katsuya Shimoji.
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United States Patent |
10,375,615 |
Shimoji , et al. |
August 6, 2019 |
Information processing device, information processing method, and
program
Abstract
Provided is an information processing device including a
decision unit to decide, based on process capability information
acquired through a first communication path from at least one of a
first and second control target device which are target devices to
be caused to perform wireless communication through a second
communication path that is different from the first communication
path, the process capability information, a transmission target
control target device between the first and second control target
device to which connection information of the other control target
device is to be transmitted out of connection information acquired
from each of the first and second control target device through the
first communication path, and a transmission control unit to cause
the connection information of the other control target device to be
transmitted to the transmission target control target device.
Inventors: |
Shimoji; Katsuya (Tokyo,
JP), Kanemoto; Toshinori (Kanagawa, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sony Corporation |
Tokyo |
N/A |
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Sony Corporation
(JP)
|
Family
ID: |
49482818 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/395,305 |
Filed: |
March 26, 2013 |
PCT
Filed: |
March 26, 2013 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/JP2013/058682 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
October 17, 2014 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2013/161484 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
October 31, 2013 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20150133048 A1 |
May 14, 2015 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Apr 27, 2012 [JP] |
|
|
2012-103448 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B
5/0031 (20130101); H04W 76/14 (20180201); H04L
67/34 (20130101); H04L 67/2819 (20130101); H04L
69/24 (20130101); H04L 67/303 (20130101); H04W
36/34 (20130101); H04L 69/14 (20130101); H04L
69/18 (20130101); H04W 84/12 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04W
76/00 (20180101); H04L 29/06 (20060101); H04L
29/08 (20060101); H04B 5/00 (20060101); H04W
36/34 (20090101); H04W 76/14 (20180101); H04W
84/12 (20090101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
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|
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2004-200887 |
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Jul 2004 |
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2007-129320 |
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May 2007 |
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JP |
|
2008060977 |
|
Mar 2008 |
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|
2008-283590 |
|
Nov 2008 |
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JP |
|
2008306603 |
|
Dec 2008 |
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JP |
|
2009-218845 |
|
Sep 2009 |
|
JP |
|
2009207069 |
|
Sep 2009 |
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JP |
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2012514435 |
|
Jun 2012 |
|
JP |
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2013507029 |
|
Feb 2013 |
|
JP |
|
2013516912 |
|
May 2013 |
|
JP |
|
2013520907 |
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Jun 2013 |
|
JP |
|
2011039719 |
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Apr 2011 |
|
WO |
|
2011085073 |
|
Jul 2011 |
|
WO |
|
2011105695 |
|
Sep 2011 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
International Search Report from International Publication
PCT/JP2013/058682 dated May 7, 2013. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report for EP Application No. 13780612.1,
dated Dec. 2, 2015. cited by applicant .
Japanese Office Action for Application No. 2016-028547 dated Jan.
10, 2017. cited by applicant .
Chinese Office Action for Application No. CN201380020837.6 dated
Jul. 17, 2017. cited by applicant .
Japanese Office Action for JP Application No. 2017187339, dated
Dec. 25, 2018. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report for Application No. EP 19152185.5
dated May 29, 2019. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Wendell; Andrew
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz
& Mentlik, LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An information processing device, comprising: a near field
communication unit configured to: acquire first capability
information of a first communication device, the first capability
information indicating at least whether the first communication
device is capable of processing data received through a near field
communication path, and acquire second capability information from
a second communication device, the second capability information
including at least second connection information usable for
starting a wireless communication with the second communication
device; and a control unit configured to determine capability of
the first communication device from the first capability
information, and decide whether to cause the near field
communication unit to transmit the second connection information to
the first communication device based on whether the first
communication device comprises a controller for processing data
received through the near field communication path and on whether
the second connection information is determined to be valid
according to validity information included in the second connection
information, wherein the validity information comprises at least
one of a status information, a term of validity information, a
valid flag, or a possibility of processing data received with
interface, wherein the wireless communication is different from
near field communication, wherein transmitting the second
connection information to the first communication device determined
capable of processing data received through the near field
communication path causes the first communication device to
initiate the wireless communication with the second communication
device.
2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein
the second connection information is transmitted to the first
communication device by the near field communication unit through a
communication link when the first communication device is
determined capable of processing data received through the near
field communication path.
3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein
the communication link is the communication link through which the
first capability information is acquired.
4. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein
the communication link is established after the control unit
notifies a user.
5. The information processing device according to claim 4, wherein
the communication link is established when the information
processing device is close to the first communication device.
6. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein
the first capability information at least includes first connection
information for starting the wireless communication with the first
communication device, and the second capability information
indicates at least whether the second communication device is
capable of processing data received through the near field
communication path.
7. The information processing device according to claim 6, wherein
when both the first communication device and the second
communication device are determined capable of processing data
received through the near field communication path, the second
connection information is transmitted to the first communication
device through a communication link.
8. The information processing device according to claim 7, wherein
the communication link is the communication link through which the
first capability information is acquired.
9. The information processing device according to claim 6, wherein
when the first communication device is determined capable of
processing data received through the near field communication path,
and the second communication device is not determined capable of
processing data received through the near field communication path,
the second connection information is transmitted to the first
communication device through a communication link.
10. The information processing device according to claim 9, wherein
the second capability information is acquired from a NFC (Near
Field Communication) tag, wherein the NFC tag is not able to
communicate to the second communication device.
11. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein
the first capability information of the first communication device
is transmitted from a first near field communication unit external
to the first communication device.
12. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein
the second capability information of the second communication
device is transmitted via a second near field communication unit
external to the second communication device.
13. An information processing method, comprising: acquiring first
capability information of a first communication device through a
first communication link by a near field communication unit, the
first capability information at least indicating whether the first
communication device is capable of processing data received through
a near field communication path; acquiring second capability
information from a second communication device by the near field
communication unit, the second capability information includes at
least second connection information usable for starting a wireless
communication with the second communication device; determining
capability of the first communication device from the first
capability information; deciding whether to transmit the second
connection information to the first communication device based on
whether the first communication device comprises a controller for
processing data received through the near field communication path
and on whether the second connection information is determined to
be valid according to validity information included in the second
connection information, wherein the validity information comprises
at least one of a status information, a term of validity
information, a valid flag, or a possibility of processing data
received with interface; transmitting the second connection
information to the first communication device by the near field
communication unit when the first communication device is
determined capable of processing data received through a near field
communication path, wherein the wireless communication is different
from near field communication, wherein transmitting the second
connection information to the first communication device determined
capable of processing data received through the near field
communication path causes the first communication device to
initiate the wireless communication with the second communication
device.
14. The information processing method according to claim 13,
wherein the first capability information of the first communication
device is transmitted from a first near field communication unit
external to the first communication device.
15. The information processing method according to claim 13,
wherein the second capability information of the second
communication device is transmitted via a second near field
communication unit external to the second communication device.
16. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon
a program which upon execution causes a computer to execute:
acquiring first capability information of a first communication
device through a first communication link by a near field
communication unit, the first capability information at least
indicating whether the first communication device is capable of
processing data received through a near field communication path;
acquiring second capability information from a second communication
device by the near field communication unit, the second capability
information includes at least second connection information usable
for starting a wireless communication with the second communication
device; determining capability of the first communication device
from the first capability information; deciding whether to transmit
the second connection information to the first communication device
based on whether the first communication device comprises a
controller for processing data received through the near field
communication path and on whether the second connection information
is determined to be valid according to validity information
included in the second connection information, wherein the validity
information comprises at least one of a status information, a term
of validity information, a valid flag, or a possibility of
processing data received with interface; transmitting the second
connection information to the first communication device by the
near field communication unit when the first communication device
is determined capable of processing data received through a near
field communication path, wherein the wireless communication is
different from near field communication, wherein transmitting the
second connection information to the first communication device
determined capable of processing data received through the near
field communication path causes the first communication device to
initiate the wireless communication with the second communication
device.
17. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim
16, wherein the first capability information of the first
communication device is transmitted from a first near field
communication unit external to the first communication device.
18. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim
16, wherein the second capability information of the second
communication device is transmitted via a second near field
communication unit external to the second communication device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2013/058682 filed
Mar. 26, 2013, published on Oct. 31, 2013 as WO 2013/161484 A1,
which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. JP
2012-103448, filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Apr. 27,
2012.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to an information processing device,
an information processing method, and a program.
BACKGROUND ART
In recent years, high functionality of devices such as mobile
telephones and smartphones has progressed, and among such devices,
those that can perform communication using a plurality of
communication means such as communication based on NFC (Near Field
Communication), IEEE 802.15.1 (which is sometimes called
"Bluetooth" (registered trademark)), and the like have also
emerged. In addition, the technology which is called handover has
been gradually used recently. The handover technology mentioned
herein is a technology for performing communication by
automatically switching a plurality of communication means that
respond to different communication schemes. Between devices that
use the handover technology, for example, authentication
information of a second communication scheme is transferred using a
communication path based on a first communication scheme, and then,
using the authentication information, authentication based the
second communication scheme is automatically set. Thus, the devices
that use the handover technology can automatically perform
communication using a communication path based on the second
communication scheme, for example, without causing a user to be
aware of an authentication process or a setting process.
In addition, technologies relating to the handover have also been
developed. As a technology for causing devices to share data
necessary for secure data communication by the medium of a security
device, for example, the technology disclosed in Patent Literature
1 described below is exemplified.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
Patent Literature 1: JP 2007-129320A
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
For example, the technology described in Patent Literature 1 is
based on the premise that each of devices that perform data
communication is configured such that a communication interface for
performing data communication between the devices and a
communication interface for performing communication with a
security device that relates to sharing of data necessary for
secure data communication are controlled by one controller. Thus,
when the technology described in Patent Literature 1 is used, for
example, if a controller included in a device such as a device to
which an NFC tag, a non-contact IC (Integrated Circuit) card, or
the like is affixed is not connected to the NFC tag (if the
controller is not able to process data of the NFC tag), it is not
possible to share data between the devices.
In addition, the connection handover specification that is a
technical specification of NFC Forum is based on the premise that
both devices that perform communication should respond to P2P (Peer
to Peer) protocol that includes a connection interface with a
controller, or at least one of the devices that perform
communication should be a device that includes a connection
interface with a controller (which is a case in which, for example,
one has the function of a reader-writer and the other has only a
tag). Thus, a user who uses a device that complies with the
connection handover specification should be aware of, for example,
what function of NFC each device supports (for example, whether a
device responds to P2P, has only the tag function, or has only the
function of a reader-writer). In addition, in the connection
handover specification, there can be cases in which it is difficult
to realize handover (performing communication by automatically
switching a plurality of communication means that respond to
different communication schemes) depending on a combination of
devices that perform communication.
Thus, even if, for example, the technology described in Patent
Literature 1 or the technology that relates to the connection
handover specification that is the technical specification of NFC
forum is used, devices which are targets to be caused to perform
communication (which may be hereinafter referred to as "control
target devices") are not caused to perform communication at all
times.
The present disclosure proposes a novel and improved information
processing device, information processing method, and program that
can control communication performed between control target
devices.
Solution to Problem
According to the present disclosure, there is provided an
information processing device including a decision unit configured
to decide, based on process capability information acquired through
a first communication path from at least one of a first control
target device and a second control target device which are target
devices to be caused to perform wireless communication through a
second communication path that is different from the first
communication path, the process capability information indicating
whether or not it is possible to process data received through the
first communication path, a transmission target control target
device between the first control target device and the second
control target device, which is a control target device to which
connection information of the other control target device is to be
transmitted out of connection information acquired from each of the
first control target device and the second control target device
through the first communication path for starting communication
through the second communication path, and a transmission control
unit configured to cause the connection information of the other
control target device to be transmitted to the transmission target
control target device.
According to the present disclosure, there is provided an
information processing method including a step of deciding, based
on process capability information acquired through a first
communication path from at least one of a first control target
device and a second control target device which are target devices
to be caused to perform wireless communication through a second
communication path that is different from the first communication
path, the process capability information indicating whether or not
it is possible to process data received through the first
communication path, a transmission target control target device
between the first control target device and the second control
target device, which is a control target device to which connection
information of the other control target device is to be transmitted
out of connection information acquired from each of the first
control target device and the second control target device through
the first communication path for starting communication through the
second communication path, and a step of causing the connection
information of the other control target device to be transmitted to
the transmission target control target device.
According to the present disclosure, there is provided a program
causing a computer to execute a step of deciding, based on process
capability information acquired through a first communication path
from at least one of a first control target device and a second
control target device which are target devices to be caused to
perform wireless communication through a second communication path
that is different from the first communication path, the process
capability information indicating whether or not it is possible to
process data received through the first communication path, a
transmission target control target device between the first control
target device and the second control target device, which is a
control target device to which connection information of the other
control target device is to be transmitted out of connection
information acquired from each of the first control target device
and the second control target device through the first
communication path for starting communication through the second
communication path, and a step of causing the connection
information of the other control target device to be transmitted to
the transmission target control target device.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
According to the present disclosure, communication performed
between control target devices can be controlled.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a descriptive diagram showing an example of content
represented by capability information according to an
embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an illustrative diagram for describing a first example of
a process relating to an information processing method according to
the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an illustrative diagram for describing a second example
of a process relating to an information processing method according
to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process
performed in an information processing system according to the
embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an illustrative diagram for describing a third example of
a process relating to an information processing method according to
the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an illustrative diagram for describing a fourth example
of a process relating to an information processing method according
to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process
performed in an information processing system according to the
embodiment.
FIG. 8 is an illustrative diagram for describing a fifth example of
a process relating to an information processing method according to
the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an illustrative diagram for describing a sixth example of
a process relating to an information processing method according to
the embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process
performed in an information processing system according to the
embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process
performed in an information processing system according to the
embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of
an information processing device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 13 is an illustrative diagram showing an example of a hardware
configuration of an information processing device according to the
embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will
be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings.
Note that, in this specification and the drawings, elements that
have substantially the same function and structure are denoted with
the same reference signs, and repeated explanation is omitted.
In addition, hereinafter, description will be provided in the
following order.
1. Information processing method according to the embodiment
2. Information processing device according to the embodiment
3. Program according to the embodiment
(Information Processing Method According to the Embodiment)
Before a configuration of an information processing device
according to the present embodiment is described, first, an
information processing method according to the present embodiment
will be described. Hereinafter, the information processing method
according to the present embodiment will be described exemplifying
a case in which an information processing device according to the
present embodiment performs a process relating to the information
processing method according to the present embodiment.
[1] Overview of the Information Processing Method According to the
Present Embodiment
As described above, even if, for example, the technology described
in Patent Literature 1 or the technology that relates to the
connection handover specification is used, control target devices
are not caused to perform communication at all times.
Thus, based on process capability information acquired from at
least one of a first control target device and a second control
target device which are target devices to be caused to perform
wireless communication through a first communication path that is
formed based on a first communication scheme, the information
processing device according to the present embodiment decides a
control target device to which connection information of the other
control target device is transmitted between the first control
target device and the second control target device (decision
process). Then, the information processing device according to the
present embodiment transmits the connection information of the
other control target device to the decided control target device (a
control target device to which the connection information of the
other control target device is transmitted) (transmission control
process).
Here, the first communication path according to the present
embodiment is a communication path that is formed based on a
communication scheme that enables the information processing device
according to the present embodiment and a control target device to
communicate with each other one to one without requiring, for
example, a special connection setting made by a user. As the first
communication path according to the present embodiment, for
example, the communication path that is formed based on NFC which
uses a carrier wave of a predetermined frequency such as 13.56
[MHz] for communication is exemplified. Note that the first
communication path according to the present embodiment is not
limited to the above. The first communication path according to the
present embodiment may be, for example, a communication path that
is formed based on infrared-ray communication that uses infrared
rays for communication. Hereinbelow, the case in which the first
communication path according to the present embodiment is the
communication path that is formed based on NFC will be
exemplified.
In addition, the process capability information according to the
present embodiment is data indicating whether or not data received
through the first communication path can be processed. As the
process capability information according to the present embodiment,
for example, a flag which indicates whether or not data received
through the first communication path can be processed is
exemplified. Note that the process capability information according
to the present embodiment is not limited to the above, and may be
arbitrary data as long as the data indicates whether or not data
received through the first communication path can be processed.
By acquiring capability information from each of the first control
target device and the second control target device through the
first communication path of which, for example, a session has been
established, the information processing device according to the
present embodiment acquires at least one piece of the process
capability information of the first control target device and the
process capability information of the second control target
device.
The capability information according to the present embodiment is
data (or a data group) that indicates a capability relating to
communication. As a capability relating to communication indicated
by the capability information according to the present embodiment,
for example, a process capability that indicates whether or not
data received through the first communication path according to the
present embodiment can be processed and a communication capability
that indicates a corresponding communication scheme (a different
communication scheme from the communication scheme that forms the
first communication path) are exemplified.
Here, when the capability information according to the present
embodiment is one piece of data and the process capability
information according to the present embodiment is included in the
capability information according to the present embodiment, the
process capability information according to the present embodiment
is a part of data constituting the data. When the capability
information according to the present embodiment is one piece of
data and the process capability information according to the
present embodiment is included in the capability information
according to the present embodiment, the information processing
device according to the present embodiment acquires the process
capability information according to the present embodiment by
acquiring the capability information according to the present
embodiment through the first communication path.
In addition, when the capability information according to the
present embodiment is a data group and the process capability
information according to the present embodiment is included in the
capability information according to the present embodiment, the
process capability information according to the present embodiment
is data constituting the data group. When the capability
information according to the present embodiment is a data group and
the process capability information according to the present
embodiment is included in the capability information according to
the present embodiment, the information processing device according
to the present embodiment acquires the process capability
information according to the present embodiment in, for example,
communication through the first communication path in which the
capability information according to the present embodiment is
acquired. In addition, when the capability information according to
the present embodiment is a data group and the process capability
information according to the present embodiment is included in the
capability information according to the present embodiment, the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
may acquire the process capability information according to the
present embodiment in, for example, communication through the first
communication path of a separate transaction from communication
relating to acquisition of connection information according to the
present embodiment (which will be described later).
When the process capability information according to the present
embodiment is included in the capability information according to
the present embodiment, the information processing device according
to the present embodiment specifies the process capability of a
control target device which corresponds to the capability
information using the process capability information according to
the present embodiment included in the capability information
according to the present embodiment. In addition, when the process
capability information according to the present embodiment is not
included in the capability information according to the present
embodiment, the information processing device according to the
present embodiment specifies a process capability of a control
target device which corresponds to the capability information as
the device assumes that, for example, the control target device
which corresponds to the capability information does not have the
process capability of data received through the first communication
path. In addition, the information processing device according to
the present embodiment specifies the communication capability of a
control target device which corresponds to the capability
information using the connection information (to be described
later) according to the present embodiment included in the
capability information according to the present embodiment.
In addition, a method used by the information processing device
according to the present embodiment to acquire process capability
information of at least one of process capability information of
the first control target device and process capability information
of the second control target device is not limited to the
above.
For example, the process capability information according to the
present embodiment may be acquired in communication which relates
to establishment of a session of the first communication path with
at least one of the first control target device and the second
control target device. As communication which relates to
establishment of a session of the first communication path
according to the present embodiment when the first communication
path is a communication path formed based on NFC, for example,
"communication performed from the start of communication relating
to polling until establishment of a session" is exemplified. A
specific example of a process relating to the communication that
relates to the establishment of a session of the first
communication path according to the present embodiment will be
described later.
Hereinbelow, processes of the information processing method
according to the present embodiment will be described mainly
exemplifying a case in which the information processing device
according to the present embodiment acquires process capability
information of at least one of process capability information of
the first control target device and process capability information
of the second control target device by acquiring capability
information from each of the first control target device and the
second control target device through the first communication
path.
In addition, the connection information according to the present
embodiment is data for starting communication through a second
communication path that is formed based on a different
communication scheme from the communication scheme for forming the
first communication path. When the capability information according
to the present embodiment is one piece of data, the connection
information according to the present embodiment is a part of data
constituting the data, and when the capability information
according to the present embodiment is a data group, the connection
information according to the present embodiment is data
constituting the data group. When the capability information
according to the present embodiment is one piece of data, the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
acquires connection information by acquiring capability information
through the first communication path. In addition, when the
capability information according to the present embodiment is a
data group and the process capability information according to the
present embodiment is included in the capability information
according to the present embodiment, the information processing
device according to the present embodiment may acquire connection
information in, for example, communication through the first
communication path for acquiring the process capability information
according to the present embodiment, or may acquire connection
information in communication through the first communication path
of a separate transaction from communication which relates to
acquisition of the process capability information according to the
present embodiment.
The second communication path according to the present embodiment
is a communication path formed based on a communication scheme in
which, for example, a predetermined connection setting is necessary
for communication between the information processing device
according to the present embodiment and each of control target
devices one to one. As the second communication path according to
the present embodiment, for example, wireless communication using
IEEE 802.15.1, wireless communication using a wireless LAN (Local
Area Network) such as IEEE 802.11b (which may be called "Wi-Fi"),
wireless communication based on ZigBee (a registered trademark),
wireless communication based on ANT+, wireless communication based
on TransferJet (a registered trademark), and the like are
exemplified.
FIG. 1 is a descriptive diagram showing an example of content
represented by capability information according to the present
embodiment. Herein, FIG. 1 shows an example of capability
information when the first communication path is a communication
path formed based on NFC and a control target device which
corresponds to the capability information shown in FIG. 1 has a
communication capability of performing communication using a
plurality of communication schemes which can form the second
communication path. In addition, FIG. 1 shows an example of
capability information when the process capability information
according to the present embodiment is included in the capability
information according to the present embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 1, the capability information according to the
present embodiment has, for example, "device name (nickname),"
"possibility of processing data received through NFC" (A shown in
FIG. 1), "NFC profile information," "wireless communication
interface information 1" (B1 shown in FIG. 1), "wireless
communication interface information 2" (B2 shown in FIG. 1), . . .
, "application information," . . . , and the like. Here, the
"possibility of processing data received through NFC" indicated by
A of FIG. 1 corresponds to the process capability information
according to the present embodiment. Note that, as "data received
through NFC" according to the present embodiment, for example, data
received by a control target device according to the present
embodiment, data received by an external device such as an NFC tag
and acquired by a control target device according to the present
embodiment from the external device, and the like are exemplified.
In addition, "wireless communication interface information 1,"
"wireless communication interface information 2," . . . , indicated
respectively by B1, B2, . . . of FIG. 1 correspond to the
connection information according to the present embodiment.
The information processing device according to the present
embodiment can specify a process capability and a communication
capability of each control target device by, for example, acquiring
the capability information shown in FIG. 1 from each of the first
control target device and the second control target device.
Note that the capability information according to the present
embodiment is not limited to the data of the content shown in FIG.
1. The capability information according to the present embodiment
may not include, for example, one or two or more of "device name
(nickname)," "NFC profile information," "application information,"
. . . shown in FIG. 1. In addition, the capability information
according to the present embodiment may not include "possibility of
processing data received through NFC" shown in A of FIG. 1, i.e.,
the process capability information according to the present
embodiment. In addition, although FIG. 1 shows an example in which
a plurality of pieces of connection information are included in the
capability information according to the present embodiment (an
example showing that a control target device has communication
capabilities which correspond to a plurality of communication
schemes), the capability information according to the present
embodiment may include one piece of connection information. In
addition, FIG. 1 shows the example in which the capability
information according to the present embodiment is one piece of
data, however, the capability information according to the present
embodiment may be a data group constituted by data indicating each
piece of content shown in FIG. 1 (or content that relates to the
above modified example). Furthermore, it is needless to say that
the connection information according to the present embodiment is
not limited to the data indicating the content shown in B1 of FIG.
1.
Hereinbelow, a decision process and a transmission control process
of the information processing method according to the present
embodiment will be described in more detail. Note that,
hereinbelow, processes of the information processing method
according to the present embodiment will be described mainly
exemplifying a case in which the information processing device
according to the present embodiment acquires process capability
information of at least one of process capability information of
the first control target device and process capability information
of the second control target device by acquiring capability
information from each of the first control target device and the
second control target device through the first communication
path.
(1) Decision Process
The information processing device according to the present
embodiment acquires capability information of each of the first
control target device and the second control target device by
performing communication with each of the first control target
device and the second control target device through the first
communication path via, for example, a first communication unit (to
be described later) included in the information processing device
according to the present embodiment or an external communication
device connected to the information processing device according to
the present embodiment.
To be more specific, the information processing device according to
the present embodiment causes the first communication unit (to be
described later) or the like to transmit, for example, a capability
information transmission request that includes a transmission
command for causing capability information to be transmitted and
thereby acquires the capability information transmitted from the
control target devices in response to the capability information
transmission request. In addition, the information processing
device according to the present embodiment may notify a user of,
for example, a start notification for starting communication
through the first communication path. Here, as the start
notification according to the present embodiment, for example, a
notification requesting the user to perform a touch operation on a
control target device (an example of an operation for setting a
distance of the control target device to the information processing
device according to the present embodiment or to the external
communication device to be a communicable distance; the same
applies hereinafter) is exemplified (an example of the case in
which the first communication path is a communication path formed
based on NFC).
The information processing device according to the present
embodiment notifies the user of the start notification or various
notifications to be described later using a visual notification
method in which, for example, text or an image is used, or an
auditory notification method in which sound (including music, a
beep sound, and the like; the same applies hereinafter) is used. In
addition, as a target to be caused to perform notification by the
information processing device according to the present embodiment,
for example, a display unit (to be described later) or an audio
output unit (to be described later) included in the device itself
(the information processing device according to the present
embodiment) and/or an external device such as an external display
device or an external audio output device are exemplified.
Here, as a capability information acquisition source from which the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
acquires the capability information, for example, control target
devices are exemplified, however, the capability information
acquisition source according to the present embodiment is not
limited thereto. The capability information acquisition source
according to the present embodiment may be, for example, an NFC tag
or a non-contact IC card affixed to a control target device, or a
single-body NFC tag or a non-contact IC card that is not affixed to
a control target device. When the capability information
acquisition source according to the present embodiment is an NFC
tag or the like described above, the process capability information
included in the capability information indicates that, for example,
data received through the first communication path is difficult to
process. In addition, even when the capability information
acquisition source according to the present embodiment is a control
target device, there can be cases in which data received through
the first communication path is difficult to process. To be more
specific, as a case in which the information processing device
according to the present embodiment has difficulty processing data
received through the first communication path, for example, the
following cases are exemplified. A case in which a control target
device does not have means for exchanging data with an NFC tag or
the like (which corresponds to a case in which the "condition for
being able to receive connection information" is not satisfied) A
case in which a program executed by a control unit (to be described
later) or the like included in a control target device fails to
deal with handover using an NFC interface (which corresponds to a
case in which the "condition for being able to analyze received
connection information" is not satisfied, and/or a case in which
the "condition for being able to start different communication
based on analyzed connection information" is not satisfied)
When the capability information of each of the first control target
device and the second control target device is acquired, the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
decides a control target device to which connection information of
the other control target device is to be transmitted (which may be
referred to hereinafter as a "transmission target control target
device") between the first control target device and the second
control target device based on process capability information that
can be included in the acquired capability information. Here, by
deciding the transmission target control target device to which the
connection information is transmitted, a direction in which the
connection information is moved is decided, and a communication
scheme that forms the second communication path is decided with the
connection information to be transmitted. In addition, the type of
information can be decided with information included in the
connection information to be transmitted.
Note that, as described above, the information processing device
according to the present embodiment can also acquire the process
capability information in communication that relates to the
establishment of a session of the first communication path with at
least one control target device between the first control target
device and the second control target device. When the process
capability information is acquired in the communication that
relates to the establishment of a session of the first
communication path, the information processing device according to
the present embodiment decides a transmission target control target
device between the first control target device and the second
control target device based on the acquired process capability
information.
To be more specific, the information processing device according to
the present embodiment decides a transmission target control target
device based on the acquired process capability information. For
example, when both of the process capability information of the
first control target device and the process capability information
of the second control target device are acquired such as when the
process capability information is included in both of the
capability information of the first control target device and the
capability information of the second control target device, the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
determines a combination of presence or absence of process
capabilities of the first control target device and the second
control target device with respect to data received through the
first communication path based on the process capability
information of the first control target device and the process
capability information of the second control target device. When,
for example, the capability information shown in FIG. 1 is
acquired, the information processing device according to the
present embodiment determines a combination of presence or absence
of the process capabilities of data received through the first
communication path based on, for example, "possibility of
processing data received through NFC" (an example of process
capability information) shown in A of FIG. 1. Then, the information
processing device according to the present embodiment decides a
transmission target control target device between the first control
target device and the second control target device based on the
determined combination.
Here, as the determined combination, for example, a first
combination to a third combination described below are exemplified.
First combination: A combination in which either the first control
target device or the second control target device has a process
capability with respect to data received through the first
communication path Second combination: A combination in which both
of the first control target device and the second control target
device have process capabilities with respect to data received
through the first communication path Third combination: A
combination in which neither the first control target device nor
the second control target device has a process capability with
respect to data received through the first communication path
In addition, when the process capability information of one control
target device is acquired and the process capability information of
the other control target device is not acquired, for example, when
the process capability information is included in the capability
information of one control target device and the process capability
information is not included in the capability information of the
other control target device, the information processing device
according to the present embodiment assumes that the other control
target device does not have the process capability with respect to
data received through the first communication path. In addition, in
the case described above, the information processing device
according to the present embodiment determines a combination of
presence or absence of process capabilities of the first control
target device and the second control target device with respect to
data received through the first communication path based on the
assumed process capability of the other control target device with
respect to data received through the first communication path and
the process capability information of one control target device.
Then, the information processing device according to the present
embodiment decides a transmission target control target device
based on the determined combination.
Here, as the combination determined when the process capability
information of one control target device is acquired and the
process capability information of the other control target device
is not acquired, the first combination or the third combination is
exemplified.
In addition, when both of the process capability information of the
first control target device and the process capability information
of the second control target device are not acquired, for example,
when the process capability information is not included in either
of the capability information of the first control target device or
the capability information of the second control target device, the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
assumes that neither the first control target device nor the second
control target device has the process capabilities with respect to
data received through the first communication path. In addition, in
this case, the information processing device according to the
present embodiment determines a combination of presence or absence
of process capabilities of the first control target device and the
second control target device with respect to data received through
the first communication path based on the assumed process
capability of the first control target device with respect to data
received through the first communication path and the assumed
process capability of the second control target device with respect
to data received through the first communication path. Then, the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
decides a transmission target control target device based on the
determined combination.
Here, as the combination determined when the process capability
information of the first control target device and the process
capability information of the second control target device are not
acquired, the third combination is exemplified.
Hereinbelow, an example of each of a decision process in the first
combination according to the present embodiment, a decision process
in the second combination according to the present embodiment, and
a decision process in the third combination according to the
present embodiment will be described in detail.
(1-1) First Example of the Decision Process: Decision Process in
the First Combination
When one of the first control target device and the second control
target device has the process capability with respect to data
received through the first communication path, for example, when
process capability information of one control target device
indicates that data received through the first communication path
can be processed and process capability information of the other
control target device does not indicate that data received through
the first communication path can be processed, the information
processing device according to the present embodiment decides the
one control target device to be a transmission target control
target device.
For example, when the first control target device has the process
capability with respect to data received through the first
communication path and the second control target device does not
have the process capability with respect to data received through
the first communication path, the information processing device
according to the present embodiment decides the first control
target device to be a transmission target control target device. In
addition, for example, when the second control target device has
the process capability with respect to data received through the
first communication path and the first control target device does
not have the process capability with respect to data received
through the first communication path, the information processing
device according to the present embodiment decides the second
control target device to be a transmission target control target
device.
In the first combination, for example, by deciding the transmission
target control target device as described above, the transmission
target control target device can receive and process connection
information of the other control target device transmitted in a
transmission control process to be described later. Thus, by
deciding the transmission target control target device as described
above in the first combination, for example, the transmission
target control target device can perform communication with the
other control target device using the connection information
through the second communication path.
In other words, by deciding the transmission target control target
device as described above in the first combination, for example,
the first control target device and the second control target
device can perform communication through the second communication
path even when either of the first control target device or the
second control target device is a device to which an NFC tag or the
like is affixed. In addition, it is not necessary for a user to be
aware of an authentication process and a setting process for the
communication between the first control target device and the
second control target device through the second communication
path.
Thus, the information processing device according to the present
embodiment can control communication performed between the control
target devices by, for example, deciding the transmission target
control target device as described above in the first
combination.
(1-2) Second Example of the Decision Process: Decision Process in
the Second Combination
When both of the first control target device and the second control
target device have the process capabilities with respect to data
received through the first communication path, both of the first
control target device and the second control target device can
receive and process connection information of the other control
target device transmitted in the transmission control process to be
described later.
Thus, the information processing device according to the present
embodiment decides, for example, a control target device that
corresponds to process capability information that is acquired
later between the first control target device and the second
control target device as a transmission target control target
device.
Here, when the control target device that corresponds to process
capability information that is acquired later is decided as a
transmission target control target device, for example, the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
can transmit connection information of the other control target
device in communication through the first communication path that
relates to acquisition of the process capability information and
then can cause the transmission target control target device to
process the connection information in the transmission control
process to be described later. In addition, when the transmission
target control target device can receive and process the connection
information of the other control target device in the communication
through the first communication path that relates to the
acquisition of the process capability information, for example, it
is not necessary for the information processing device according to
the present embodiment and the transmission target control target
device to start the communication through the first communication
path again (or it is highly likely that starting the communication
through the first communication path again is not necessary). For
this reason, when, for example, the first communication path is a
communication path formed based on NFC, the information processing
device according to the present embodiment can cause the
transmission target control target device to process the connection
information of the other control target information without causing
a user to perform a touch operation with respect to the
transmission target control target device again.
Note that, regardless of whether the first communication path is a
communication path formed based on NFC, the information processing
device according to the present embodiment may cause the connection
information of the other control target device to be transmitted in
communication through the first communication path that has been
started again, rather than in communication through the first
communication path that relates to the acquisition of the process
capability information in the transmission control process to be
described later. When the connection information of the other
control target device is transmitted in the communication through
the first communication path that has been started again, the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
notifies the user of, for example, a start notification for
starting the communication through the first communication
path.
As described above, by deciding a control target device that
corresponds to the process capability information that is acquired
later in the second combination as a transmission target control
target device, the information processing device according to the
present embodiment can control communication performed between
control target devices.
Note that the decision process in the second combination is not
limited to the above. For example, the information processing
device according to the present embodiment can decide a
transmission target control target device based on connection
information included in the capability information of the first
control target device and connection information included in the
capability information of the second control target device
The information processing device according to the present
embodiment decides a transmission target control target device
based on, for example, a valid flag included in the connection
information as shown in B1 of FIG. 1 and using the connection
information of which the valid flag is valid (in the example shown
in FIG. 1, the connection information in which the valid flag is
"Enable").
Note that the connection information used by the information
processing device according to the present embodiment is not
limited to the connection information of which the valid flag is
valid. For example, the information processing device according to
the present embodiment may determine valid connection information
based on other data included in the connection information such as
"status information," "term of validity information," or
"possibility of processing data received through the interface"
shown in B1 of FIG. 1, and then decide a transmission target
control target device using the connection information determined
to be valid. Here, there are cases in which, in order to reduce
power consumption, the wireless communication function of a device
that has a communication interface is selectively activated as
necessary, rather than being activated at all times. The status
information according to the present embodiment is data indicating
such an activation state of the wireless communication function. In
addition, the term of validity information according to the present
embodiment is data that controls a valid state of connection
information (a state in which use of the connection information is
allowed). As the term of validity information according to the
present embodiment, data indicating the number of valid touches
that controls the valid state with the number of touch operations,
valid time data that controls the valid state depending on a
period, and the like are exemplified. When, for example, the term
of validity information is data indicating that a valid time is one
minute, a state of the connection information indicates that the
connection reception time taken for a control target device that
corresponds to the term of validity information to perform the
communication through the second communication path is one minute.
In addition, "possibility of processing data received through the
interface" shown in B1 of FIG. 1 is data indicating whether or not
data received through the second communication path formed using
the connection information can be processed. When, for example, the
"possibility of processing data received through the interface"
(shown in B1 of FIG. 1) included in the connection information does
not indicate that it is difficult to process data received through
the second communication path, the information processing device
according to the present embodiment does not determine the
connection information as valid connection information. Note that,
as "data received through the interface" according to the present
embodiment, for example, data received by the control target device
according to the present embodiment, data received by an external
interface that is an external communication interface of the
control target device according to the present embodiment and
acquired from the external interface by the control target device
according to the present embodiment, and the like are
exemplified.
In addition, with respect to communication schemes that can form
the second communication path, there can be various communication
schemes, for example, a communication scheme such as IEEE 802.15.1
in which authentication is necessary for starting communication, a
communication scheme such as IEEE 802.15.1 or ZigBee (a registered
trademark) in which roles for communication such as a master
(entity that actively performs communication) and a slave (entity
that passively performs communication) are decided, and the like.
The information processing device according to the present
embodiment decides a transmission target control target device so
that communication through the second communication path is
normally established through the decision of the transmission
target control target device based on the connection
information.
For example, when connection information with respect to the
communication scheme in which authentication is necessary for
starting communication is transmitted in the transmission control
process that will be described later, the information processing
device according to the present embodiment decides both of the
first control target device and the second control target device as
transmission target control target devices. In this case, the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
transmits connection information of the other control target device
to both of the first control target device and the second control
target device in the transmission control process that will be
described later. Thus, the first control target device and the
second control target device perform authentication using, for
example, the "authentication scheme" and "authentication
information" included in the connection information shown in B1 of
FIG. 1, and then can perform communication through the second
communication path.
In addition, when connection information with respect to the
communication scheme in which roles for communication such as a
master and a slave are decided is transmitted in the transmission
control process that will be described later, for example, the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
specifies a control target device which corresponds to a master
based on data indicating roles for communication included in the
connection information (for example, a flag indicating a master or
a slave, or the like). Then, the information processing device
according to the present embodiment decides the specified control
target device as a transmission target control target device out of
the first control target device and the second control target
device.
Here, when both of the first control target device and the second
control target device correspond to masters, the information
processing device according to the present embodiment decides a
control target device having a high priority as a transmission
target control target device based on, for example, priorities set
for each of the first control target device and the second control
target device. Here, the priorities set according to the present
embodiment may be set in advance or set (or reset) based on a user
operation or the like. Note that a decision method of a
transmission target control target device when both of the first
control target device and the second control target device are
masters is not limited to the above. For example, the information
processing device according to the present embodiment may decide a
control target device that corresponds to the capability
information acquired later as a transmission target control target
device when both of the first control target device and the second
control target device are masters.
By deciding a transmission target control target device based on
connection information as described above, for example, the
transmission target control target device can receive and process
the connection information of the other control target device
transmitted in the transmission control process that will be
described later. In addition, as the transmission target control
target device is decided based on connection information, the
transmission target control target device can perform normal
communication through the second communication path.
Thus, by deciding the transmission target control target device
based on the connection information in the second combination as
described above, the information processing device according to the
present embodiment can control communication between the control
target devices.
(1-3) Third Example of the Decision Process: Decision Process in
the Third Combination
When neither the first control target device nor the second control
target device has process capabilities with respect to data
received through the first communication path, it is not possible
to decide a transmission target control target device even if
process capability information indicating whether data received
through the first communication path can be processed is used.
Thus, based on the connection information of the first control
target device, the information processing device according to the
present embodiment determines presence or absence of a process
capability of the first control device with respect to data
received through a communication path that is formed based on the
connection information. In addition, based on the connection
information of the second control target device, the information
processing device according to the present embodiment determines
presence or absence of the second control target device with
respect to data received through a communication path that is
formed based on the connection information. Then, the information
processing device according to the present embodiment decides a
transmission target control target device based on a "determination
result of the presence or absence of a process capability with
respect to data" or based on "the determination result and an order
of acquiring capability information, set priorities, or a user
operation."
To be more specific, based on data that is included in the acquired
connection information of each control target device indicating
whether data received through the second communication path formed
using the connection information can be processed (for example,
"possibility of processing data received through the interface"
shown in B1 of FIG. 1), the information processing device according
to the present embodiment determines presence or absence of a
process capability of data received through a communication path
that is formed based on the connection information of each control
target device. When the determination result of the presence or
absence of a process capability with respect to data indicates that
one control target device has the process capability with respect
to data received through a communication path that is formed based
on the connection information and the other control target device
does not have the process capability with respect to data received
through a communication path that is formed based on the connection
information, the information processing device according to the
present embodiment decides the one control target device as a
transmission target control target device.
In addition, when the determination result of the presence or
absence of a process capability with respect to data indicates that
neither the first control target device nor the second control
target device has a process capability with respect to data
received through a communication path that is formed based on the
connection information, if either of the first control target
device and the second control target device is decided as a
transmission target control target device, it is difficult for the
transmission target control target device to process the connection
information of the other control target device which is transmitted
in the transmission control process that will be described later.
Thus, in this case, the information processing device according to
the present embodiment notifies a user of, for example, an error
indicating that the first control target device and the second
control target device are not able to perform communication. Here,
as an error notification according to the present embodiment, for
example, displaying an error screen that includes an error message
or an error image on a display screen, outputting a sound
indicating an error message, or the like is exemplified.
In addition, when the determination result of the presence or
absence of a process capability with respect to data indicates that
both of the first control target device and the second control
target device have process capabilities with respect to data
received through a communication path that is formed based on the
connection information, the information processing device according
to the present embodiment decides a transmission target control
target device based on, for example, an order of acquiring process
capability information, set priorities, or a user operation.
When a transmission target control target device is decided based
on the order of acquiring process capability information, the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
decides, for example, a control target device that corresponds to
the process capability information that is acquired later as the
transmission target control target device. Note that the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
may decide, for example, a control target device that corresponds
to the process capability information that is acquired earlier as
the transmission target control target device.
In addition, when a transmission target control target device is
decided based on the set priorities, the information processing
device according to the present embodiment decides a control target
device having a high priority as the transmission target control
target device based on, for example, the priorities set for each of
the first control target device and the second control target
device. Note that a priority according to the present embodiment is
not limited to a priority set for the first control target device
and the second control target device. The priority according to the
present embodiment may be, for example, a priority set for the
communication scheme that relates to the second communication path.
When the priority according to the present embodiment is the
priority set for the communication scheme that relates to the
second communication path, the information processing device
according to the present embodiment decides a transmission target
control target device based on, for example, connection information
that responds to a communication scheme having a higher priority as
in the decision process of the second example described above.
In addition, when a transmission target control target device is
decided based on a user operation, the information processing
device according to the present embodiment notifies the user of the
notification indicating that, for example, a selection operation of
selecting a transmission target control target device is performed.
As a notification indicating that a selection operation according
to the present embodiment is performed, for example, displaying a
selection screen on which any of the first control target device
and the second control target device can be selected on the display
screen or the like is exemplified. Then, based on, for example, an
operation signal transferred from an operation unit (to be
described later) according to a selection operation, or an
operation signal transmitted from an external operation device such
as a remote controller according to a selection operation, the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
decides a control target device represented by the operation signal
as the transmission target control target device.
Here, when neither the first control target device nor the second
control target device has a process capability with respect to data
received through the first communication path, it is difficult for
both of the first control target device and the second control
target device to receive, through the first communication path, and
process the connection information of the other control target
device transmitted in the transmission control process that will be
described later. Thus, in this case, the information processing
device of the present embodiment causes the connection information
of the other control target device to be transmitted to the
transmission target control target device using communication
through a third communication path that is different from the first
communication path in the transmission control process that will be
described later. Here, the third communication path according to
the present embodiment is a communication path formed based on a
communication scheme represented by the connection information
included in the capability information of each control target
device. As the third communication path according to the present
embodiment, for example, wireless communication that uses IEEE
802.15.1, wireless communication that uses a wireless LAN of IEEE
802.11b, or the like is exemplified.
When the first control target device is decided as a transmission
target control target device, the information processing device
according to the present embodiment can perform communication with
the first control target device through the third communication
path using the connection information included in the capability
information of the first control target device. In addition, when
the second control target device is decided as a transmission
target control target device, the information processing device
according to the present embodiment can perform communication with
the second control target device through the third communication
path using the connection information included in the capability
information of the second control target device. Thus, if either of
the first control target device and the second control target
device is decided as a transmission target control target device,
the transmission target control target device can receive and
process the connection information of the other control target
device transmitted in the transmission control process that will be
described later.
Therefore, by deciding a transmission target control target device
as described above in the third combination, the information
processing device according to the present embodiment can control
communication between the control target devices.
The information processing device according to the present
embodiment performs, for example, the process relating to the first
example, the process relating to the second example, or the process
relating to the third example based on the determination result of
the combination of presence or absence of a process capability of
data received through the first communication path. By performing
the process relating to the first example, the process relating to
the second example, or the process relating to the third example,
the information processing device according to the present
embodiment can decide a transmission target control target
device.
Note that a decision process of the information processing device
according to the present embodiment is not limited to the processes
relating to the first example to the third example.
(1-4) Fourth Example of the Decision Process
As shown in FIG. 1, the capability information according to the
present embodiment includes, for example, a plurality of pieces of
connection information. The information processing device according
to the present embodiment decides, for example, the communication
scheme for the second communication path based on the connection
information included in the capability information of the first
control target device and the connection information included in
the capability information of the second control target device. To
be more specific, the information processing device according to
the present embodiment compares the communication scheme
represented by valid connection information included in the
capability information of the first control target device and the
communication scheme represented by valid connection information
included in the capability information of the second control target
device, and then decides a communication scheme that both of the
control target devices correspond to as the communication scheme
for the second communication path. In addition, when there are a
plurality of communication schemes that both of the control target
devices correspond to, the information processing device according
to the present embodiment decides, for example, a communication
scheme having a higher priority as a communication scheme for the
second communication path according to set priorities. Here, the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
determines valid connection information based on data included in
the connection information, for example, the "valid flag," "status
information," "term of validity information," and "possibility of
processing data received through the interface" shown in B1 of FIG.
1.
In addition, the information processing device according to the
present embodiment causes the connection information with respect
to the decided communication scheme to be transmitted to the
transmission target control target device in the transmission
control process that will be described later.
Thus, by deciding the communication scheme that both of the control
target devices respond to as the communication scheme for the
second communication path as described above, the information
processing device according to the present embodiment can cause the
first control target device and the second control target device to
perform normal communication through the second communication
path.
In addition, when the decided communication scheme has a
communication distance shorter than a predetermined distance that
has been set, the information processing device according to the
present embodiment may notify the user of a notification indicating
that the control target devices should be brought close to each
other. Here as the predetermined distance that has been set, for
example, a preset distance such as a communication distance of a
communication scheme that forms the first communication path, or a
distance that is set (or reset) with a user operation or the like
is exemplified. In addition, when the decided communication scheme
is a communication scheme having a communication speed faster than
that of the communication scheme that forms the first communication
path and a communication distance shorter than that of the
communication scheme that forms the first communication path (for
example, TransferJet (a registered trademark) or the like), the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
may notify the user of a notification indicating that the control
target devices should be brought close to each other. As the
notification indicating that the control target devices according
to the present embodiment should be brought close to each other,
for example, displaying a guide screen instructing that the control
target devices be brought close to each other on the display
screen, outputting a guide sound indicating that the control target
devices should be brought close to each other, or the like is
exemplified.
(1-5) Fifth Example of the Decision Process
In addition, the information processing device according to the
present embodiment may notify the user of a communication scheme in
which the first control target device and the second control target
device can communicate with each other based on, for example, the
connection information included in the capability information of
the first control target device and the connection information
included in the capability information of the second control target
device. When the user is notified of the communication scheme in
which the first control target device and the second control target
device can communicate with each other, the information processing
device according to the present embodiment decides a communication
scheme for the second communication path based on, for example, a
user operation.
Here, as a notification of the communication scheme in which the
first control target device and the second control target device
can communicate with each other, for example, displaying, on the
display screen, a selection screen on which one communication
scheme can be selected from communication schemes that both of the
control target devices respond to, or the like is exemplified.
Based on, for example, an operation signal transferred from the
operation unit (to be described later) according to a user
operation or an operation signal transmitted from an external
operation device such as a remote controller according to a user
operation, the information processing device according to the
present embodiment decides a communication scheme indicated by the
operation signal as the communication scheme for the second
communication path.
In addition, the information processing device according to the
present embodiment causes the connection information with respect
to the decided communication scheme to be transmitted to the
transmission target control target device in the transmission
control process that will be described later.
As described above, by deciding the communication scheme based on
the user operation as the communication scheme for the second
communication path between the communication schemes that both of
the control target devices respond to, the information processing
device according to the present embodiment can cause the first
control target device and the second control target device to
perform normal communication through the second communication
path.
(1-6) Sixth Example of the Decision Process
In addition, the capability information according to the present
embodiment can include information (data; the term of validity
information shown in B1 of FIG. 1) indicating the term of validity
(for example, a condition with regard to a number or time) as shown
in FIG. 1. When connection information to be transmitted to a
transmission target control target device (connection information
of the other control target device) is not transmitted thereto
within the term of validity indicated by information indicating the
term of validity included in the connection information, the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
may set the acquired connection information to be in an invalid
state. In addition, the information processing device according to
the present embodiment may give a notification with respect to the
term of validity represented by the information of the term of
validity (for example, a notification indicating within how many
minutes a touch operation or the like should be performed, a
notification indicating the remaining number of valid touches,
etc.).
Here, the information processing device according to the present
embodiment sets the connection information to be in an invalid
state by setting, for example, a valid flag included in the
connection information to be in an invalid state (for example,
setting the flag to "Disable" in the example of B1 of FIG. 1),
however, a process of setting the connection information by the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
is not limited to the above. For example, the information
processing device according to the present embodiment may set the
acquired connection information to be in the invalid state by
deleting the acquired connection information.
By setting the acquired connection information to be in the invalid
state, the information processing device according to the present
embodiment can restrict communication between the control target
devices based on connection information of which the term of
validity has expired. Thus, by setting the acquired connection
information to be in the invalid state, the information processing
device according to the present embodiment can control
communication between the control target devices more strictly.
In addition, the information processing device according to the
present embodiment may notify the user of the fact that the term of
validity of the connection information has been terminated when,
for example, the acquired connection information is set to be in
the invalid state. Here, as a notification indicating that the term
of validity of the connection information according to the present
embodiment has been terminated, for example, displaying an alert
screen indicating that the term of validity of the connection
information has been terminated on the display screen, displaying a
guide screen that instructs to perform a touch operation on each of
the control target devices again, or the like is exemplified.
(1-7) Seventh Example of the Decision Process
In addition, there are also cases in which, for example, the first
control target device according to the present embodiment and the
second control target device according to the present embodiment
are not able to perform communication through the second
communication path. As the case in which it is difficult to perform
the communication through the second communication path, for
example, when the first control target device according to the
present embodiment and the second control target device according
to the present embodiment do not include a communication interface
that responds to a common communication scheme, or are not able to
use the communication interface that responds to a common
communication scheme, or when applications that use the
communication interface are not compatible with each other is
exemplified.
The information processing device according to the present
embodiment determines whether or not the communication through the
second communication path can be performed with reference to
acquired capability information of each control target device (to
be more specific, various kinds of data included in the capability
information, for example, connection information, application
information, and the like). Then, when the communication through
the second communication path is determined not to be performed,
the information processing device according to the present
embodiment notifies the user of an error indicating that the first
control target device and the second control target device are not
able to perform the communication. Here, as an error notification
according to the present embodiment, for example, displaying an
error screen that includes an error message or an error image on
the display screen, outputting a sound indicating an error message,
or the like is exemplified.
(2) Transmission Control Process
When a transmission target control target device is decided in the
process (1) (decision process) described above, the information
processing device according to the present embodiment causes
connection information of the other control target device to be
transmitted to the decided transmission target control target
device.
To be more specific, the information processing device according to
the present embodiment causes the connection information to be
transmitted through, for example, a communication path
corresponding to the combination of presence or absence of the
process capability of data received through the first communication
path determined in the process (1) (decision process) described
above.
(2-1) When the First Combination or the Second Combination is
Determined in the Process (1) (Decision Process) Described
Above
When the first combination or the second combination is determined
in the process (1) (decision process) described above, the
transmission target control target device can receive and process
the connection information using the first communication path.
Thus, in this case, the information processing device according to
the present embodiment causes the connection information to be
transmitted using the first communication path.
Here, the first communication path that the information processing
device according to the present embodiment uses to transmit the
connection information may be a first communication path that
relates to acquisition of process capability information, or a
first communication path that has been formed again.
Note that, as described above, when the first communication path is
a communication path formed based on NFC, for example, the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
can cause the transmission target control target device to process
the connection information of the other control target device by
transmitting the connection information through the first
communication path that relates to acquisition of process
capability information, without causing the user to perform a touch
operation on the transmission target control target device
again.
Thus, the information processing device according to the present
embodiment causes the connection information to be transmitted
using the first communication path that relates to acquisition of
the process capability information when, for example, the
connection information of the other control target device can be
transmitted to the transmission target control target device
through the first communication path on which the process
capability information is acquired. In addition, when, for example,
it is difficult to transmit the connection information of the other
control target device to the transmission target control target
device through the first communication path on which the process
capability information is acquired, the information processing
device according to the present embodiment causes the communication
using the first communication path to be performed again to form
the first communication path again. Then, the information
processing device according to the present embodiment causes the
connection information of the other control target device to be
transmitted to the transmission target control target device using
the first communication path that is formed again.
Here, as cases in which it is difficult to cause connection
information to be transmitted to a transmission target control
target device through the first communication path on which process
capability information has been acquired, for example, the
following cases of (a) to (e) are exemplified.
(a) a case in which the transmission target control target device
decided in the process (1) (decision process) described above is a
control target device between the first control target device and
the second control target device which corresponds to process
capability information that has been acquired earlier.
(b) a case in which the communication scheme used for performing
P2P communication through the second communication path (the
communication scheme that forms the second communication path) is a
communication scheme in which nodes are in the master-slave
relation as in, for example, IEEE 802.15.1 or ZigBee (a registered
trademark)
(c) a case in which the communication scheme that forms the second
communication path is a communication scheme that requires mutual
authentication, in which authentication data (for example, the
authentication scheme and authentication information shown in B1 of
FIG. 1) necessary for the mutual authentication is exchanged
(d) a case in which the communication scheme that forms the second
communication path is a communication scheme that performs
encryption of the communication path, in which session keys
necessary for the encryption of the communication path are
exchanged
(e) a case in which, via the information processing device
according to the present embodiment, status information (for
example, the status information shown in B1 of FIG. 1) of one
control target device is transferred to the other control target
device, and the information processing device according to the
present embodiment receives a signal that has been transmitted from
the other control target device to request a change of status of
the one control target device
In the case (b) described above, the information processing device
according to the present embodiment determines the master-slave
relation between the nodes based on the connection information of
each control target device in the process (1) (decision process)
described above, and thereby decides a transmission target control
target device. In addition, in the case (c) described above, the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
determines whether or not it is necessary for the control target
devices to exchange authentication data for performing mutual
authentication based on the connection information of each control
target device in the process (1) (decision process) described
above, and thereby decides a transmission target control target
device. In addition, in the case (d) described above, the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
determines whether or not it is necessary for the control target
devices to exchange session keys for encryption of the
communication path based on the connection information of each
control target device in the process (1) (decision process)
described above, and thereby decides a transmission target control
target device. In addition, in the case (e) described above, the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
decides a control target device which is a change target of status
as a transmission target control target device based on, for
example, a received signal that requests a change of status. In
addition, as a determination result of each of (b) to (d) described
above, when the transmission target control target device is the
control target device that corresponds to the capability
information that has been acquired earlier between the first
control target device and the second control target device based on
the decision result of (e) described above, the information
processing device according to the present embodiment determines
that it is difficult to cause the connection information to be
transmitted to the transmission target control target device
through the first communication path on which the capability
information has been acquired.
Note that, when the connection information of the other control
target device can be transmitted to the transmission target control
target device through, for example, the first communication path on
which the process capability information has been acquired, the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
can also perform communication through the first communication path
again.
In addition, when the first communication path is formed again, the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
may notify the user of, for example, a start notification for
starting the communication through the first communication path
described above. In addition, in the case (c) described above, the
user may be notified of the authentication result (for example,
success or failure).
(2-2) When the Third Combination is Determined in the Process (1)
(Decision Process) Described Above
When the third combination is determined in the process (1)
(decision process) described above, it is difficult for the
transmission target control target device to receive and process
the connection information through the first communication path.
Thus, in such a case, the information processing device according
to the present embodiment causes the connection information to be
transmitted through a third communication path (a different
communication path from the first communication path) that is based
on the connection information.
The information processing device according to the present
embodiment causes the connection information to be transmitted
through, for example, a communication path corresponding to the
combination of presence or absence of the process capability of
data received through the first communication path determined in
the process (1) (decision process) described above.
Note that the transmission control process in the information
processing device according to the present embodiment is not
limited to causing the connection information to be transmitted
through the communication path that corresponds to the combination
of presence or absence of the process capability with respect to
data received through the first communication path which has been
determined in the process (1) (decision process) described above.
For example, the information processing device according to the
present embodiment may cause the connection information to be
transmitted in communication through the third communication path
regardless of the determination result of the combination in the
process (1) (decision process) described above.
In addition, the information processing device according to the
present embodiment causes, for example, connection information that
responds to the communication scheme decided in the process (1)
(decision process) described above to be transmitted to the
transmission target control target device.
The information processing device according to the present
embodiment performs, for example, the process (1) (decision
process) described above and the process (2) (transmission control
process) described above as processes relating to the information
processing method according to the present embodiment. Here, the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
decides a transmission target control target device (a control
target device to which the connection information of the other
control target device is to be transmitted) in the process (1)
(decision process) described above, and causes the connection
information of the other control target device to be transmitted to
the decided transmission target control target device in the
process (2) (transmission control process) described above. In
addition, the transmission target control target device decided in
the process (1) (decision process) described above is a control
target device between the first control target device and the
second control target device that can receive the connection
information of the other control target device and process the
connection information.
Thus, as the information processing device according to the present
embodiment performs the process (1) (decision process) described
above and the process (2) (transmission control process) described
above, the transmission target control target device can perform
communication with the other control target device through the
second communication path using the connection information. In
other words, as the information processing device according to the
present embodiment performs the process (1) (decision process)
described above and the process (2) (transmission control process)
described above, the first control target device and the second
control target device can perform communication with each other
through the second communication path even when, for example, one
or each of the first control target device and the second control
target device is a device to which an NFC tag or the like is
affixed.
Therefore, the information processing device according to the
present embodiment can control the communication performed between
the control target devices by performing the processes relating to
the information processing method according to the present
embodiment. In addition, as the information processing device
according to the present embodiment controls the communication
performed between the control target devices, various kinds of
handover between the control target devices can be realized.
In addition, since the information processing method according to
the present embodiment causes the connection information of the
other control target device to be transmitted to the transmission
target control target device, it is not necessary for the user to
be aware of the authentication process or the setting process for
the first control target device and the second control target
device to perform the communication through the second
communication path. Thus, the information processing method
according to the present embodiment can enhance convenience for the
user by performing the processes relating to the information
processing method according to the present embodiment.
[2] Specific Examples of a Process Relating to the Information
Processing Method According to the Present Embodiment
Next, a process relating to the information processing method
according to the present embodiment described above will be
described in more detail. Hereinbelow, the process relating to the
information processing method according to the present embodiment
in each of (A) the case in which the combination of presence or
absence of the process capabilities of the first control target
device and the second control target device with respect to data
received through the first communication path is the first
combination, (B) the case in which the combination is the second
combination, and (C) the case in which the combination is the third
combination will be described.
In addition, hereinbelow, the process relating to the information
processing method according to the present embodiment will be
described mainly exemplifying a case in which at least one of the
capability information of the first control target device and the
capability information of the second control target device which
are acquired through the first communication path includes the
process capability information according to the present embodiment.
As described above, when the process capability information
according to the present embodiment is included in the capability
information according to the present embodiment, the information
processing device according to the present embodiment determines
presence or absence of the process capability of the control target
device that corresponds to the capability information with respect
to data received through the first communication path based on the
process capability information. In addition, when the process
capability information according to the present embodiment is not
included in the capability information according to the present
embodiment, the information processing device according to the
present embodiment assumes that the control target device that
corresponds to the capability information does not have the process
capability with respect to the data received through the first
communication path.
Note that, as described above, the information processing device
according to the present embodiment can also acquire the process
capability information through communication that relates to the
establishment of a session of the first communication path between
at least one of the first control target device and the second
control target device. An example of the process relating to the
information processing method according to the embodiment when the
process capability information is acquired in the communication
that relates to the establishment of the session of the first
communication path will be shown in (D) another example of the
process relating to the information processing method according to
the embodiment to be described later.
In addition, hereinbelow, the process relating to the information
processing method according to the embodiment will be described
exemplifying a case in which the information processing device
according to the present embodiment is a portable-type
communication device such as a smartphone. In addition,
hereinbelow, the process relating to the information processing
method according to the embodiment will be described exemplifying a
case in which the first control target device which is a control
target device of which communication is controlled by the
information processing method according to the embodiment is a PC
(Personal Computer) and the second control target device is a
printer. Note that it is needless to say that the information
processing device according to the present embodiment is not
limited to a portable-type communication device and the control
target device according to the present embodiment is not limited to
a PC and a printer. Hereinbelow, there are cases in which the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
is denoted as an "information processing device 100," the first
control target device according to the present embodiment as a
"first control target device 200A," and the second control target
device according to the present embodiment as a "second control
target device 200B."
In addition, hereinbelow, description will be provided exemplifying
a case in which the first communication path according to the
present embodiment is a communication path formed based on NFC.
(A) Process Relating to the Information Processing Method According
to the Present Embodiment in the First Combination
(A-1) First Example of the Process Relating to the Information
Processing Method According to the Present Embodiment
FIG. 2 is an illustrative diagram for describing a first example of
the process relating to the information processing method according
to the embodiment, showing an example of a process performed in an
information processing system according to the present embodiment
which has the information processing device 100, the first control
target device 200A, and the second control target device 200B. In
addition, FIG. 2 shows an example of the process when the
combination of presence or absence of the process capabilities of
the first control target device and the second control target
device with respect to data received through the first
communication path is the first combination. To be specific, FIG. 2
shows an example in which the first control target device 200A does
not have the function of processing data received through the first
communication path and the second control target device 200B has
the function of processing data received through the first
communication path.
Herein, the information processing system shown in FIG. 2 is set
such that the information processing device 100 has the function of
an initiator in NFC (which is a so-called reader-writer function;
the same applies hereinbelow) and the function of a target in NFC
(which is a so-called card function; the same applies hereinbelow),
and the second control target device 200B has the function of a
target in NFC. In addition, the information processing system shown
in FIG. 2 is set such that an NFC tag that stores capability
information of the first control target device 200A is affixed to
the first control target device 200A. In addition, the information
processing system shown in FIG. 2 is set such that the first
control target device 200A and the second control target device
200B each include communication interfaces that correspond to IEEE
802.15.1.
In addition, in FIG. 2, the process of Step S104 corresponds to the
process (1) (decision process) described above and the process of
Step S106 corresponds to the process (2) (transmission control
process) described above.
The information processing device 100 performs communication with
the NFC tag affixed to the first control target device 200A through
the first communication path, thereby acquiring capability
information A of the first control target device 200A (S100). The
communication with the NFC tag affixed to the first control target
device 200A through the first communication path is performed as,
for example, the information processing device 100 plays the role
as a reader-writer. In addition, as the capability information A,
for example, data in the format shown in FIG. 1 is exemplified,
however, the capability information A is not limited to the data of
the format shown in FIG. 1.
The information processing device 100 performs communication with
the second control target device 200B through the first
communication path, thereby acquiring capability information B of
the second control target device 200B (S102). The communication
with the second control target device 200B through the first
communication path is performed as, for example, the information
processing device 100 plays the role as a reader-writer. In
addition, as the capability information B, for example, data in the
format shown in FIG. 1 is exemplified, however, the capability
information B is not limited to the data of the format shown in
FIG. 1.
When the capability information A of the first control target
device 200A is acquired in Step S100 and the capability information
B of the second control target device 200B is acquired in Step
S102, the information processing device 100 decides a transmission
target control target device based on the capability information A
and the capability information B (S104). Here, in the example shown
in FIG. 2, the first control target device 200A does not have the
function of processing data received through the first
communication path and the second control target device 200B has
the function of processing data received through the first
communication path. Thus, the information processing device 100
decides the second control target device 200B as the transmission
target control target device in Step S104.
When the transmission target control target device is decided in
Step S104, the information processing device 100 causes connection
information A of the first control target device 200A (connection
information of the other control target device) to be transmitted
to the second control target device 200B as the transmission target
control target device through the first communication path (S106).
Here, when the connection information can be transmitted through
the first communication path on which the capability information B
has been acquired in Step S102, the information processing device
100 causes the connection information to be transmitted through the
first communication path on which the capability information B has
been acquired. As described above, by causing the connection
information to be transmitted through the first communication path
on which the capability information B has been acquired, the
information processing device 100 can cause the connection
information to be transmitted without causing a user to perform a
touch operation with respect to the second control target device
200B again. Thus, as described above, when the connection
information is transmitted through the first communication path on
which the capability information B has been acquired, the
information processing device 100 can improve convenience for the
user.
Note that the process of Step S106 is not limited to the process of
causing the connection information A to be transmitted through the
first communication path on which the capability information B has
been acquired. For example, the information processing device 100
may perform communication with the second control target device
200B through the first communication path again and cause the
connection information A to be transmitted through the first
communication path that has been formed again. When performing the
communication with the second control target device 200B through
the first communication path again, the information processing
device 100 notifies the user of, for example, a start notification
for starting the communication through the first communication
path.
Here, in FIG. 2, since the second control target device 200B has
the function of processing data received through the first
communication path, the second control target device 200B can
receive the connection information A transmitted in Step S106 and
process the received connection information A. Thus, the second
control target device 200B that has received the connection
information A transmitted in Step S106 starts communication with
the first control target device 200A through the second
communication path using the received connection information A of
the first control target device 200A (S108). In the example shown
in FIG. 2, the second control target device 200B performs
communication with the first control target device 200A using a
communication interface that responds to IEEE 802.15.1.
When the first control target device 200A does not have the
function of processing data received through the first
communication path and the second control target device 200B has
the function of processing data received through the first
communication path, for example, the process shown in FIG. 2 is
performed in the information processing system according to the
present embodiment, and thereby communication between the first
control target device 200A and the second control target device
200B is performed through the second communication path. Thus, by
performing, for example, the process shown in FIG. 2, the
information processing device 100 can control the communication
between the control target devices.
(A-2) Second Example of the Process Relating to the Information
Processing Method According to the Present Embodiment
FIG. 3 is an illustrative diagram for describing a second example
of the process relating to the information processing method
according to the present embodiment, showing an example of a
process performed in the information processing system according to
the present embodiment which has the information processing device
100, the first control target device 200A, and the second control
target device 200B. In addition, FIG. 3 shows an example of the
process when the combination of presence or absence of the process
capabilities of the first control target device and the second
control target device with respect to data received through the
first communication path is the first combination. To be specific,
FIG. 3 shows an example in which the first control target device
200A has the function of processing data received through the first
communication path and the second control target device 200B does
not have the function of processing data received through the first
communication path.
Herein, the information processing system shown in FIG. 3 is set
such that the information processing device 100 has the function of
an initiator in NFC and the function of a target in NFC, and the
first control target device 200A has the function of a target in
NFC. In addition, the information processing system shown in FIG. 3
is set such that an NFC tag that stores capability information of
the second control target device 200B is affixed to the second
control target device 200B. In addition, the information processing
system shown in FIG. 3 is set such that the first control target
device 200A and the second control target device 200B each include
communication interfaces that correspond to IEEE 802.15.1.
In addition, in FIG. 3, the process of Step S204 corresponds to the
process (1) (decision process) described above and the process of
Step F206 corresponds to the process (2) (transmission control
process) described above.
The information processing device 100 performs communication with
the first control target device 200A through the first
communication path, thereby acquiring the capability information A
of the first control target device 200A (S200). The communication
with the first control target device 200A through the first
communication path is performed as, for example, the information
processing device 100 plays the role of a reader-writer.
In addition, the information processing device 100 performs
communication with the NFC tag affixed to the second control target
device 200B through the first communication path, thereby acquiring
the capability information B of the second control target device
200B (S202). The communication with the NFC tag affixed to the
second control target device 200B through the first communication
path is performed as, for example, the information processing
device 100 plays the role of a reader-writer.
When the capability information A of the first control target
device 200A is acquired in Step S200 and the capability information
B of the second control target device 200B is acquired in Step
S202, the information processing device 100 decides a transmission
target control target device based on the capability information A
and the capability information B (S204). Here, in the example shown
in FIG. 3, the first control target device 200A has the function of
processing data received through the first communication path and
the second control target device 200B does not have the function of
processing data received through the first communication path.
Thus, the information processing device 100 decides the first
control target device 200A as the transmission target control
target device in Step S204.
When the transmission target control target device is decided in
Step S104, the information processing device 100 causes the
connection information B of the second control target device 200B
(connection information of the other control target device) to be
transmitted to the first control target device 200A that is the
transmission target control target device through the first
communication path (S206).
Here, when the connection information can be transmitted through
the first communication path on which the capability information A
has been acquired in Step S200, the information processing device
100 causes the connection information to be transmitted through the
first communication path on which the capability information A has
been acquired. However, when the first communication path is a
communication path formed based on NFC, the communication through
the first communication path on which the capability information A
has been acquired is terminated in many cases in the stage in which
the process of Step S202 is performed in consideration of the
communicable distance. Thus, when the connection information can be
transmitted through the first communication path on which the
capability information A has been acquired in Step S200, the
information processing device 100 performs communication with the
first control target device 200A through the first communication
path again and then causes the connection information B to be
transmitted through the first communication path that has been
formed again. When performing the communication with the first
control target device 200A again through the first communication
path, the information processing device 100 notifies the user of,
for example, a start notification for starting the communication
through the first communication path.
Here, in FIG. 3, since the first control target device 200A has the
function of processing data received through the first
communication path, the first control target device 200A can
receive the connection information B transmitted in Step S206 and
process the received connection information B. Thus, the first
control target device 200A that has received the connection
information B transmitted in Step S206 starts communication with
the second control target device 200B through the second
communication path using the received connection information B of
the second control target device 200B (S208). In the example shown
in FIG. 3, the first control target device 200A performs
communication with the second control target device 200B using a
communication interface that responds to IEEE 802.15.1.
When the first control target device 200A has the function of
processing data received through the first communication path and
the second control target device 200B does not have the function of
processing data received through the first communication path, for
example, the process shown in FIG. 3 is performed in the
information processing system according to the present embodiment,
and thereby communication between the first control target device
200A and the second control target device 200B is performed through
the second communication path. Thus, by performing, for example,
the process shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 100
can control the communication between the control target
devices.
When the combination of presence or absence of the process
capabilities of the first control target device and the second
control target device with respect to data received through the
first communication path is the first combination, the information
processing device according to the present embodiment performs, for
example the process relating to the first example shown in FIG. 2
or the process relating to the second example shown in FIG. 3. Note
that the process of the information processing device according to
the present embodiment performed when the combination of presence
or absence of the process capabilities of the first control target
device and the second control target device with respect to data
received through the first communication path is the first
combination is not limited to the process relating to the first
example or the process relating to the second example described
above.
FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process
performed in the information processing system according to the
present embodiment. FIG. 4 shows an example of the process
performed in the information processing system according to the
present embodiment when the combination of presence or absence of
the process capabilities of the first control target device and the
second control target device with respect to data received through
the first communication path is the first combination. In addition,
FIG. 4 shows an example of the process when the information
processing system according to the present embodiment is configured
as shown in FIG. 2. Note that, in FIG. 4, communication performed
between the information processing device 100 and the NFC tag
affixed to the first control target device 200A through the first
communication path is expressed as communication performed between
the information processing device 100 and the first control target
device 200A through the first communication path.
The information processing device 100 and the NFC tag affixed to
the first control target device 200A perform a connection process
for performing communication through the first communication path
(S300). Here, the connection process for performing the
communication through the first communication path according to the
present embodiment corresponds to a process relating to
communication that relates to establishment of a session of the
first communication path according to the present embodiment. As
the connection process for performing the communication through the
first communication path according to the present embodiment, for
example, a process in which one device that plays the role of a
reader-writer performs polling and the other device responds to the
polling or the like is exemplified. By receiving a response to the
polling, the one device that plays the role of a reader-writer
recognizes that there is a device that can communicate through the
first communication path. In Step S300, the information processing
device 100 plays the role of a reader-writer.
When the process of Step S300 is performed, the information
processing device 100 transmits a capability information
transmission request including a transmission command for causing
capability information to be transmitted through the first
communication path (S302). Here, the information processing device
100 transmits the capability information transmission request by
performing ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying).
The NFC tag affixed to the first control target device 200A that
has received the capability information transmission request
transmitted in Step S302 transmits the stored capability
information A of the first control target device 200A through the
first communication path in response to the capability information
transmission request (S304). The NFC tag affixed to the first
control target device 200A transmits the capability information A
by, for example, performing load modulation.
The information processing device 100 that has received the
capability information A transmitted from the NFC tag affixed to
the first control target device 200A in Step S304 notifies a user
of a start notification for starting communication with the second
control target device 200B through the first communication path
(S306). Here, the information processing device 100 notifies the
user of the start notification by displaying, for example, a guide
screen indicating that a touch operation is to be performed on the
second control target device 200B on the display screen, causing an
audio output device (which is provided in the device or outside) to
output a guide sound indicating that a touch operation is to be
performed on the second control target device 200B.
When the process of Step S306 is performed, the information
processing device 100 and the second control target device 200B
perform a connection process for performing communication through
the first communication path (S308). In Step S308, the information
processing device 100 plays the role of a reader-writer, and thus
the information processing device 100 starts polling after, for
example, the process of Step S306 is performed.
When the process of Step S308 is performed, the information
processing device 100 transmits a capability information
transmission request through the first communication path as in
Step S302 (S310).
The second control target device 200B that has received the
capability information transmission request transmitted in Step
S310 transmits the stored capability information B of the second
control target device 200B through the first communication path in
response to the capability information transmission request as in
Step S304 (S312).
Here, the second control target device 200B performing
communication with the information processing device 100 through
the first communication path may perform, for example, activation
of a communication interface and reservation of a communication
channel for forming the second communication path such as a
communication interface that responds to IEEE 802.15.1. As
described above, as the control target device according to the
present embodiment performing communication with the information
processing device 100 through the first communication path performs
activation of a communication interface and reservation of a
communication channel for forming the second communication path,
communication between control devices through the second
communication path can be performed more smoothly in the
information processing system according to the present
embodiment.
In addition, when the communication through the second
communication path based on a set predetermined time and the
reserved communication channel is not established in the case in
which activation of a communication interface and reservation of a
communication channel for forming the second communication path is
performed, the second control target device 200B may perform, for
example, cancellation of the communication channel and deactivation
of the communication interface. Here, the predetermined time may be
set in advance, or may be set (or reset) based on a user operation
or the like. As described above, as the control target device
according to the present embodiment performing communication with
the information processing device 100 through the first
communication path performs deactivation of the communication
interface and cancellation of the communication channel for forming
the second communication path, the control target device according
to the present embodiment can achieve a reduction in power
consumption and efficient use of communication resources.
In addition, when a new capability information transmission request
is received in the case in which the activation of the
communication interface and reservation of the communication
channel for forming the second communication path are performed,
the second control target device 200B may perform, for example,
cancellation of the communication channel and deactivation of the
communication interface. When the new capability information
transmission request is received, the second control target device
200B transmits the capability information B of the second control
target device 200B based on the capability information transmission
request. As described above, as the control target device according
to the present embodiment performing communication with the
information processing device 100 through the first communication
path performs deactivation of the communication interface and
cancellation of the communication channel for forming the second
communication path and transmission of the capability information B
of the second control target device 200B based on the newly
received capability information transmission request, an
information processing system in which the control target devices
perform smooth communication is realized.
The control target device according to the present embodiment
performing communication with the information processing device 100
through the first communication path can perform, for example, the
process described above (the same applies hereinafter).
The information processing device 100 that has received the
capability information B from the second control target device 200B
in Step S312 decides a transmission target control target device
based on the capability information A received in Step S304 and the
capability information B received in Step S312 (S314). Here, FIG. 4
shows an example of the process in the case of the configuration
shown in FIG. 2, in which the first control target device 200A does
not have the function of processing data received through the first
communication path and the second control target device 200B has
the function of processing data received through the first
communication path. Thus, the information processing device 100
decides the second control target device 200B as the transmission
target control target device in Step S314.
When the transmission target control target device is decided in
Step S314, the information processing device 100 transmits the
connection information A of the first control target device 200A to
the second control target device 200B which is the transmission
target control target device (S316). When the communication through
the first communication path connected in Step S308 is possible,
the information processing device 100 transmits the connection
information A in the communication that is performed through the
first communication path on which the capability information B has
been received.
Note that the information processing device 100 may perform
communication with the second control target device 200B again
through the first communication path by performing, for example,
the same process as Step S308 again to transmit the connection
information A to the second control target device 200B through the
first communication path that is formed again. In addition, when
the communication is performed with the second control target
device 200B again through the first communication path, the
information processing device 100 notifies the user of, for
example, a start notification for starting the communication
through the first communication path as in Step S306.
The second control target device 200B transmits a response signal
according to the reception result of the connection information A
transmitted in Step S316 (S318).
The information processing device 100 that has received the
response signal transmitted from the second control target device
200B in Step S318 gives a notification to the user based on the
response signal (S320). As the notification based on the response
signal, for example, a completion notification indicating that the
transmission of the connection information A has been correctly
performed (when the response signal indicates that the connection
information A has been correctly received), or an error
notification indicating that the transmission of the connection
information A has not been correctly performed (when the response
signal indicates that the connection information A has not been
correctly received) is exemplified. By displaying, for example, the
completion screen or the error screen on the display screen, the
information processing device 100 gives the notification based on
the response signal. In addition, when the response signal
indicates that the connection information A has not been correctly
received, the information processing device 100 may give a
notification for guiding the user by displaying a guide screen on
the display screen indicating that a touch operation should be
performed again on the second control target device 200B, or
outputting a guide sound indicating that the touch operation should
be performed.
The second control target device 200B that has received the
connection information A transmitted in Step S316 starts
communication with the first control target device 200A through the
second communication path using the connection information A of the
first control target device 200A (S322).
By performing, for example, the process shown in FIG. 4 in the
information processing system according to the present embodiment,
the first control target device 200A and the second control target
device 200B perform communication with each other through the
second communication path. Here, in FIG. 4, the process of Step
S314 corresponds to the process (1) (decision process) described
above, and the process of Step S316 corresponds to the process (2)
(transmission control process) described above. Thus, by
performing, for example, the process shown in FIG. 4, the
information processing device 100 can control communication between
the control target devices.
Note that a process performed in the information processing system
according to the present embodiment is not limited to the process
shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows, for example, an example of the
process in the case in which the information processing system
according to the present embodiment has the configuration shown in
FIG. 2, however, when the information processing system according
to the present embodiment has the configuration shown in FIG. 3,
the information processing device 100 decides the first control
target device 200A as a transmission target control target device,
and transmits the connection information B of the second control
target device 200B to the first control target device 200A. In
addition, in such a case, the first control target device 200A
starts communication with the second control target device 200B
through the second communication path using the connection
information B of the second control target device 200B.
In addition, in the above description, the example in which the
information processing device 100 performs the process relating to
the information processing method according to the present
embodiment in the information processing system according to the
present embodiment has been shown, however, a configuration of the
information processing system according to the present embodiment
is not limited to the above. For example, in the information
processing system according to the present embodiment, a control
target device according to the present embodiment (the first
control target device according to the present embodiment and/or
the second control target device according to the present
embodiment) can also perform the process relating to the
information processing method according to the present embodiment.
When the control target device according to the present embodiment
performs the process relating to the information processing method
according to the present embodiment, the control target device
according to the present embodiment determines whether or not the
information processing device has the function of performing the
process relating to the information processing method according to
the present embodiment in, for example, communication with the
information processing device constituting the information
processing system according to the present embodiment through the
first communication path. Then, when the information processing
device constituting the information processing system according to
the present embodiment is not determined to have the function of
performing the process relating to the information processing
method according to the present embodiment, the control target
device according to the present embodiment decides a direction in
which connection information is moved, a communication scheme, the
type of information, and the like in, for example, a specific
format recorded in the information processing device constituting
the information processing system according to the present
embodiment.
(B) Process Relating to the Information Processing Method According
to the Present Embodiment in the Second Combination
Next, as another example of the process relating to the information
processing method according to the present embodiment, an example
of the process relating to the information processing method
according to the present embodiment in the second combination will
be described.
(B-1) Third Example of the Process Relating to the Information
Processing Method According to the Present Embodiment
FIG. 5 is an illustrative diagram for describing a third example of
the process relating to the information processing method according
to the present embodiment showing an example of a process performed
in the information processing system according to the present
embodiment which has the information processing device 100, the
first control target device 200A, and the second control target
device 200B. In addition, FIG. 5 shows an example of the process
when the combination of presence or absence of the process
capabilities of the first control target device and the second
control target device with respect to data received through the
first communication path is the second combination. To be specific,
FIG. 5 shows an example in which the first control target device
200A has the function of processing data received through the first
communication path and the second control target device 200B also
has the function of processing data received through the first
communication path.
Here, in the information processing system shown in FIG. 5, each of
the information processing device 100, the first control target
device 200A, and the second control target device 200B is assumed
to have the function of an initiator in NFC and the function of a
target in NFC, and further to respond to an inter-device
communication protocol. In addition, in the information processing
system shown in FIG. 5, the first control target device 200A and
the second control target device 200B are assumed to have
communication interfaces which respond to a plurality of
communication schemes, for example, IEEE 802.15.1, IEEE 802.11b,
and the like.
In addition, in FIG. 5, the process of Step S404 corresponds to the
process (1) (decision process) described above and the process of
Step S406 corresponds to the process (2) (transmission control
process) described above.
The information processing device 100 performs communication with
the first control target device 200A through the first
communication path, thereby acquiring the capability information A
of the first control target device 200A (S400). The communication
with the first control target device 200A through the first
communication path is performed as the information processing
device 100 or the first control target device 200A plays the role
of a reader-writer.
The information processing device 100 performs communication with
the second control target device 200B through the first
communication path, thereby acquiring capability information B of
the second control target device 200B (S402). The communication
with the second control target device 200B through the first
communication path is performed as, for example, the information
processing device 100 or the second control target device 200B
plays the role as a reader-writer.
When the capability information A of the first control target
device 200A is acquired in Step S400 and the capability information
B of the second control target device 200B is acquired in Step
S402, the information processing device 100 decides a transmission
target control target device based on the capability information A
and the capability information B (S404). Here, in the example shown
in FIG. 5, both of the first control target device 200A and the
second control target device 200B have the function of processing
data received through the first communication path. In Step S404,
the information processing device 100 decides the second control
target device 200B between the first control target device 200A and
the second control target device 200B as a transmission target
control target device, which is a control target device that
corresponds to the capability information that, for example, has
been acquired later.
Note that the process of Step S404 is not limited to the process of
deciding, as a transmission target control target device, a control
target device between the first control target device 200A and the
second control target device 200B, which corresponds to the
capability information that has been acquired later. For example,
the information processing device 100 may decide a transmission
target control target device in Step S404 based on connection
information included in the capability information of the first
control target device 200A and connection information included in
the capability information of the second control target device
200B. Hereinbelow, an example of the process relating to the
information processing method according to the present embodiment
will be described exemplifying the case in which the second control
target device 200B is decided as a transmission target control
target device in the process of Step S404 that corresponds to the
process (1) (decision process) described above. Note that the case
in which the first control target device 200A is decided as a
transmission target control target device in the process (1)
(decision process) described above in the second combination will
be described later.
When the transmission target control target device is decided in
Step S404, the information processing device 100 causes the
connection information A of the first control target device 200A
(connection information of the other control target device) to be
transmitted to the second control target device 200B that is the
transmission target control target device through the first
communication path (S406) as in Step S106 shown in FIG. 2.
Here, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the first control target
device 200A and the second control target device 200B have a
plurality of communication interfaces that respond to communication
schemes that can form the second communication path. The
information processing device 100 compares, for example,
communication schemes indicated by the connection information
included in the capability information of the first control target
device 200A and communication schemes indicated by the connection
information included in the capability information of the second
control target device 200B, and then decides the communication
scheme that both of the control target devices respond to as the
communication scheme for the second communication path. In
addition, when there are a plurality of communication schemes that
both of the control target devices respond to, the information
processing device 100 decides a communication scheme having, for
example, a higher priority as the communication scheme for the
second communication path according to set priorities. Then, the
information processing device 100 causes the connection information
A that responds to the decided communication scheme to be
transmitted through the first communication path.
In FIG. 2, since the second control target device 200B has the
function of processing data received through the first
communication path, the second control target device 200B can
receive the connection information A transmitted in Step S406 and
process the received connection information A. Thus, the second
control target device 200B that has received the connection
information A transmitted in Step S406 starts communication with
the first control target device 200A through the second
communication path using the received connection information A of
the first control target device 200A (S408). In the example shown
in FIG. 5, the second control target device 200B performs
communication with the first control target device 200A using a
communication interface that responds to a communication scheme
indicated by the connection information A.
When both of the first control target device 200A and the second
control target device 200B have the function of processing data
received through the first communication path, for example, the
process shown in FIG. 5 is performed in the information processing
system according to the present embodiment, and thereby
communication between the first control target device 200A and the
second control target device 200B is performed through the second
communication path. Thus, by performing, for example, the process
shown in FIG. 5, the information processing device 100 can control
the communication between the control target devices.
(B-2) Fourth Example of the Process Relating to the Information
Processing Method According to the Present Embodiment
FIG. 6 is an illustrative diagram for describing a fourth example
of the process relating to the information processing method
according to the present embodiment showing an example of a process
performed in the information processing system according to the
present embodiment which has the information processing device 100,
the first control target device 200A, and the second control target
device 200B. In addition, FIG. 6 shows another example of the
process when the combination of presence or absence of the process
capabilities of the first control target device and the second
control target device with respect to data received through the
first communication path is the second combination. To be specific,
FIG. 6 shows an example in which the first control target device
200A has the function of processing data received through the first
communication path and the second control target device 200B also
has the function of processing data received through the first
communication path.
Here, in the information processing system shown in FIG. 6, each of
the information processing device 100, the first control target
device 200A, and the second control target device 200B is assumed
to have the function of an initiator in NFC and the function of a
target in NFC, and further to respond to the inter-device
communication protocol. In addition, in the information processing
system shown in FIG. 6, the first control target device 200A is
assumed to have, for example, a communication interface that
responds to IEEE 802.15.1 and a communication interface that
responds to IEEE 802.11b, and the second control target device 200B
is assumed to have, for example, a communication interface that
responds to IEEE 802.15.1.
In addition, in FIG. 6, the process of Step S504 corresponds to the
process (1) (decision process) described above and the process of
Step S506 corresponds to the process (2) (transmission control
process) described above.
The information processing device 100 performs communication with
the first control target device 200A through the first
communication path, thereby acquiring the capability information A
of the first control target device 200A (S500) as in Step S400
shown in FIG. 5.
In addition, the information processing device 100 performs
communication with the second control target device 200B through
the first communication path, thereby acquiring the capability
information B of the second control target device 200B (S502) as in
Step S402 shown in FIG. 5.
When the capability information A of the first control target
device 200A is acquired in Step S500 and the capability information
B of the second control target device 200B is acquired in Step
S502, the information processing device 100 decides a transmission
target control target device based on the capability information A
and the capability information B (S504). Here, in the example shown
in FIG. 6, both of the first control target device 200A and the
second control target device 200B have the function of processing
data received through the first communication path. The information
processing device 100 decides the transmission target control
target device based on, for example, connection information
included in the capability information of the first control target
device 200A and connection information included in the capability
information of the second control target device 200B in Step
S504.
Here, a specific example of a decision process of the transmission
target control target device based on the capability information in
Step S504 will be exemplified. With the capability information A of
the first control target device 200A, the information processing
device 100 can specify the fact that the first control target
device 200A has the communication interface that responds to IEEE
802.15.1 and the communication interface that responds to IEEE
802.11b. In addition, with capability information B of the second
control target device 200B, the information processing device 100
can specify the fact that the second control target device 200B has
the communication interface that responds to IEEE 802.15.1.
In addition, the information processing device 100 can find an
activation state of the communication interface that each of the
control target devices has using, for example, the connection
information (to be specific, for example, the status information
shown in B1 of FIG. 1) included in each piece of the capability
information. In the example of FIG. 6, both of the communication
interface responding to IEEE 802.15.1 and the communication
interface responding to IEEE 802.11b which are included in the
first control target device 200A are set to be in a halt state, and
the communication interface responding to IEEE 802.15.1 which is
included in the second control target device 200B is set to be in
the activated state.
By specifying the state using the acquired capability information A
and capability information B, the information processing device 100
decides IEEE 802.15.1 that both of the first control target device
200A and the second control target device 200B respond to as the
communication scheme for forming the second communication path. In
addition, the information processing device 100 determines that it
is necessary to cause the communication interface that responds to
IEEE 802.15.1 included in the first control target device 200A to
be in the activated state in order to cause the first control
target device 200A and the second control target device 200B to
communicate with each other through the second communication path
formed with IEEE 802.15.1.
By performing the decision and the like as described above, the
information processing device 100 decides the first control target
device 200A as a transmission target control target device in Step
S504.
When the transmission target control target device is decided in
Step S504, the information processing device 100 causes the
connection information B of the second control target device 200B
(connection information of the other control target device) to be
transmitted to the first control target device 200A that is the
transmission target control target device through the first
communication path (S506) as in Step S206 shown in FIG. 3.
In FIG. 6, since the first control target device 200A has the
function of processing data received through the first
communication path, the first control target device 200A can
receive the connection information B transmitted in Step S506 and
process the received connection information B. Thus, the first
control target device 200A that has received the connection
information B transmitted in Step S506 starts communication with
the first control target device 200A through the second
communication path using the received connection information B of
the second control target device 200B (S508). In the example shown
in FIG. 6, the second control target device 200B performs
communication with the first control target device 200A using the
communication interface that corresponds to IEEE 802.15.1.
When both of the first control target device 200A and the second
control target device 200B have the function of processing data
received through the first communication path, for example, the
process shown in FIG. 6 is performed in the information processing
system according to the present embodiment, and thereby
communication between the first control target device 200A and the
second control target device 200B is performed through the second
communication path. Thus, by performing, for example, the process
shown in FIG. 6, the information processing device 100 can control
the communication between the control target devices.
When the combination of presence or absence of the process
capabilities of the first control target device and the second
control target device with respect to data received through the
first communication path is the second combination, the information
processing device according to the present embodiment performs, for
example the process relating to the third example shown in FIG. 5
or the process relating to the fourth example shown in FIG. 6. Note
that the process of the information processing device according to
the present embodiment performed when the combination of presence
or absence of the process capabilities of the first control target
device and the second control target device with respect to data
received through the first communication path is the second
combination is not limited to the process relating to the third
example or the process relating to the fourth example described
above.
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process
performed in the information processing system according to the
present embodiment. FIG. 7 shows the example of the process
performed in the information processing system according to the
present embodiment when the combination of presence or absence of
the process capabilities of the first control target device and the
second control target device with respect to data received through
the first communication path is the second combination. In
addition, FIG. 7 shows the example of the process when the
information processing system according to the present embodiment
has the configuration shown in FIG. 6.
The information processing device 100 and the first control target
device 200A perform a connection process for performing
communication through the first communication path (S600). In Step
S600, the information processing device 100 or the first control
target device 200A plays the role of a reader-writer.
When the process of Step S600 is performed, the information
processing device 100 transmits a capability information
transmission request that includes a transmission command for
causing capability information to be transmitted through the first
communication path (S602) as in Step S302 shown in FIG. 4.
The first control target device 200A that has received the
capability information transmission request transmitted in Step
S602 transmits the stored capability information A of the first
control target device 200A based on the capability information
transmission request through the first communication path (S604) as
in Step S304 shown in FIG. 4.
The information processing device 100 that has received the
capability information A transmitted from the first control target
device 200A in Step S604 notifies a user of a start notification
for starting communication with the second control target device
200B through the first communication path (S606) as in Step S306
shown in FIG. 4.
When the process of Step S606 is performed, the information
processing device 100 and the second control target device 200B
perform a connection process for performing communication through
the first communication path (S608) as in Step S308 shown in FIG.
4.
When the process of Step S608 is performed, the information
processing device 100 transmits a capability information
transmission request through the first communication path (S610) as
in Step S310 shown in FIG. 4.
The second control target device 200B that has received the
capability information transmission request transmitted in Step
S610 transmits the stored capability information B of the second
control target device 200B based on the capability information
transmission request through the first communication path (S612) as
in Step S312 shown in FIG. 4.
The information processing device 100 that has received the
capability information B transmitted from the second control target
device 200B in Step S612 decides a transmission target control
target device based on the capability information A received in
Step S604 and the capability information B received in Step S612
(S614).
Here, since FIG. 7 is the example of the process in the case of the
configuration shown in FIG. 6, both of the first control target
device 200A and the second control target device 200B have the
function of processing data received through the first
communication path. The information processing device 100 decides
the transmission target control target device in Step S614 based
on, for example, connection information included in the capability
information of the first control target device 200A and connection
information included in the capability information of the second
control target device 200B.
Hereinbelow, an example of the process relating to the information
processing method according to the present embodiment will be
described exemplifying the case in which the first control target
device 200A is decided as the transmission target control target
device in the process of Step S614. Note that, when the second
control target device 200B is decided as the transmission target
control target device in the process of Step S614, the information
processing device 100 performs, for example, the processes from
Step S316 shown in FIG. 4, rather than the processes from Step S616
to be described below.
When the transmission target control target device is decided in
Step S614, the information processing device 100 notifies the user
of a start notification for starting communication with the first
control target device 200A through the first communication path
(S616). Here, the information processing device 100 notifies the
user of the start notification by, for example, displaying a guide
screen that guides a touch operation to be performed on the first
control target device 200A on the display screen, outputting a
guide sound that guides a touch operation to be performed on the
first control target device 200A to an audio output device
(provided in the device or outside), or the like.
In addition, the information processing device 100 and the first
control target device 200A perform the connection process for
performing communication through the first communication path
(S618) as in Step S600.
When the process of Step S618 is performed, the information
processing device 100 transmits the connection information B of the
second control target device 200B to the first control target
device 200A that is the transmission target control target device
through the first communication path (S620).
The first control target device 200A transmits a response signal
according to the reception result of the connection information B
transmitted in Step S620 through the first communication path
(S622).
The information processing device 100 that has received the
response signal transmitted from the first control target device
200A in Step S622 gives a notification to the user based on the
response signal (S624) as in Step S320 shown in FIG. 4.
The first control target device 200A that has received the
connection information B transmitted in Step S620 starts
communication with the second control target device 200B through
the second communication path using the connection information B of
the second control target device 200B (S626).
By performing, for example, the process shown in FIG. 7 in the
information processing system according to the present embodiment,
the first control target device 200A and the second control target
device 200B perform communication with each other through the
second communication path. Here, in FIG. 7, the process of Step
S614 corresponds to the process (1) (decision process) described
above, and the process of Step S620 corresponds to the process (2)
(transmission control process) described above. Thus, by
performing, for example, the process shown in FIG. 7, the
information processing device 100 can control communication between
the control target devices.
Note that a process performed in the information processing system
according to the present embodiment is not limited to the process
shown in FIG. 7. For example, the information processing device 100
may set a control target device between the first control target
device 200A and the second control target device 200B which
corresponds to the capability information that is acquired later to
be a transmission target control target device in Step S614. When
the transmission target control target device is decided as
described above, the information processing device 100 decides the
second control target device 200B that is a control target device
that corresponds to the capability information that has been
acquired later between the first control target device 200A and the
second control target device 200B as the transmission target
control target device.
In addition, in the above description, the example in which the
information processing device 100 performs the process relating to
the information processing method according to the present
embodiment in the information processing system according to the
present embodiment has been shown, however, a configuration of the
information processing system according to the present embodiment
is not limited thereto. For example, the control target device
according to the present embodiment (the first control target
device according to the present embodiment and/or the second
control target device according to the present embodiment) can
perform the process relating to the information processing method
according to the present embodiment in the information processing
system according to the present embodiment as described above.
(C) Process Relating to the Information Processing Method According
to the Present Embodiment in the Third Combination
Next, as another example of the process relating to the information
processing method according to the present embodiment, an example
of the process relating to the information processing method
according to the present embodiment in the third combination will
be described.
(C-1) Fifth Example of the Process Relating to the Information
Processing Method According to the Present Embodiment
FIG. 8 is an illustrative diagram for describing a fifth example of
the process relating to the information processing method according
to the present embodiment showing an example of a process performed
in the information processing system according to the present
embodiment which has the information processing device 100, the
first control target device 200A, and the second control target
device 200B. In addition, FIG. 8 shows an example of the process
when the combination of presence or absence of the process
capabilities of the first control target device and the second
control target device with respect to data received through the
first communication path is the third combination. To be specific,
FIG. 8 shows an example in which the first control target device
200A does not have the function of processing data received through
the first communication path and the second control target device
200B does not have the function of processing data received through
the first communication path either.
Here, the information processing system shown in FIG. 8 is set such
that the information processing device 100 has the function of an
initiator in NFC and the function of a target in NFC. In addition,
the information processing system shown in FIG. 8 is set such that
an NFC tag that stores the capability information of the first
control target device 200A is affixed to the first control target
device 200A, and another NFC tag that stores the capability
information of the second control target device 200B is affixed to
the second control target device 200B. Furthermore, the information
processing system shown in FIG. 8 is set such that the first
control target device 200A and the second control target device
200B each have the communication interfaces that respond to IEEE
802.15.1.
In addition, in FIG. 8, the process of Step S704 corresponds to the
process (1) (decision process) described above and the process of
Step S708 corresponds to the process (2) (transmission control
process) described above.
The information processing device 100 performs communication with
the NFC tag affixed to the first control target device 200A through
the first communication path, thereby acquiring the capability
information of the first control target device 200A (S700) as in
Step S100 shown in FIG. 2.
In addition, the information processing device 100 performs
communication with the NFC tag affixed to the second control target
device 200B through the first communication path, thereby acquiring
the capability information B of the second control target device
200B (S702). The communication with the NFC tag affixed to the
second control target device 200B through the first communication
path is performed as, for example, the information processing
device 100 plays the role of a reader-writer.
When the capability information A of the first control target
device 200A is acquired in Step S700 and the capability information
B of the second control target device 200B is acquired in Step
S702, the information processing device 100 decides a transmission
target control target device based on the capability information A
and the capability information B (S704). Here, in the example shown
in FIG. 8, neither the first control target device 200A nor the
second control target device 200B has the function of processing
data received through the first communication path. Thus, the
information processing device 100 decides the transmission target
control target device based on, for example, an order of acquiring
the capability information, set priorities, or a user operation in
Step S704.
Hereinbelow, an example of the process relating to the information
processing method according to the present embodiment will be
described exemplifying the case in which the second control target
device 200B is decided as the transmission target control target
device in the process of Step S704 that corresponds to the process
(1) (decision process) described above. Note that an example of the
case in which the first control target device 200A is decided as
the transmission target control target device in the process (1)
(decision process) described above in the third combination will be
described later.
When the transmission target control target device is decided in
Step S704, the information processing device 100 starts
communication with the second control target device 200B that is
the transmission target control target device through the third
communication path (S706). Here, the information processing device
according to the present embodiment performs the communication with
the second control target device 200B using connection information
included in the capability information of the second control target
device 200B that has been acquired in Step S702. In the example
shown in FIG. 8, the second control target device 200B has the
communication interface that responds to IEEE 802.15.1. Thus, the
information processing device 100 decides IEEE 802.15.1 indicated
by the connection information included in the capability
information of the second control target device 200B as the
communication scheme for forming the third communication path, and
then starts the communication based on IEEE 802.15.1 with the
second control target device 200B using the connection
information.
Note that there may be cases in which the information processing
device 100 and the second control target device 200B (an example of
the transmission target control target device) have difficulty
performing communication, for example, when the information
processing device 100 does not have the communication interface
that responds to IEEE 802.15.1 (an example of a communication
interface that enables communication with a transmission target
control target device). In such a case, the information processing
device 100 notifies a user of an error, for example, indicating
that the first control target device 200A and the second control
target device 200B have difficulty performing communication.
When the communication with the second control target device 200B
that is the transmission target control target device is started
through the third communication path in Step S706, the information
processing device 100 causes the connection information A of the
first control target device 200A (connection information of the
other control target device) to be transmitted to the second
control target device 200B that is the transmission target control
target device through the third communication path (S708).
Here, in FIG. 8, since the second control target device 200B has
the function of processing data received through the third
communication path, the second control target device 200B can
receive the connection information A transmitted in Step S708 and
process the received connection information A. Thus, the second
control target device 200B that has received the connection
information A transmitted in Step S708 starts communication with
the first control target device 200A through the second
communication path using the received connection information A of
the first control target device 200A (S710). In the example shown
in FIG. 8, the second control target device 200B performs
communication with the first control target device 200A using a
communication interface that responds to IEEE 802.15.1.
When neither the first control target device 200A nor the second
control target device 200B does not have the function of processing
data received through the first communication path, for example,
the process shown in FIG. 8 is performed in the information
processing system according to the present embodiment, and thereby
communication between the first control target device 200A and the
second control target device 200B is performed through the second
communication path. Thus, by performing, for example, the process
shown in FIG. 8, the information processing device 100 can control
the communication between the control target devices.
(C-2) Sixth Example of the Process Relating to the Information
Processing Method According to the Present Embodiment
FIG. 9 is an illustrative diagram for describing a second example
of the process relating to the information processing method
according to the present embodiment, showing an example of a
process performed in the information processing system according to
the present embodiment which has the information processing device
100, the first control target device 200A, and the second control
target device 200B. In addition, FIG. 9 shows an example of the
process when the combination of presence or absence of the process
capabilities of the first control target device and the second
control target device with respect to data received through the
first communication path is the third combination. To be specific,
FIG. 9 shows an example in which the first control target device
200A does not have the function of processing data received through
the first communication path and the second control target device
200B does not have the function of processing data received through
the first communication path either.
Here, the information processing system shown in FIG. 9 is set such
that the information processing device 100 has the function of an
initiator in NFC and the function of a target in NFC. In addition,
the information processing system shown in FIG. 9 is set such that
an NFC tag that stores the capability information of the first
control target device 200A is affixed to the first control target
device 200A, and another NFC tag that stores the capability
information of the second control target device 200B is affixed to
the second control target device 200B. Furthermore, the information
processing system shown in FIG. 9 is set such that the first
control target device 200A and the second control target device
200B each have the communication interfaces that respond to IEEE
802.15.1.
In addition, in FIG. 9, the process of Step S804 corresponds to the
process (1) (decision process) described above and the process of
Step S808 corresponds to the process (2) (transmission control
process) described above.
The information processing device 100 performs communication with
the NFC tag affixed to the first control target device 200A through
the first communication path, thereby acquiring the capability
information of the first control target device 200A (S800) as in
Step S100 shown in FIG. 2.
In addition, the information processing device 100 performs
communication with the NFC tag affixed to the second control target
device 200B through the first communication path, thereby acquiring
the capability information B of the second control target device
200B (S802) as in Step S702 shown in FIG. 8.
When the capability information A of the first control target
device 200A is acquired in Step S800 and the capability information
B of the second control target device 200B is acquired in Step
S802, the information processing device 100 decides a transmission
target control target device based on the capability information A
and the capability information B (S804) as in Step S704 shown in
FIG. 8. Hereinbelow, an example of the process relating to the
information processing method according to the present embodiment
will be described exemplifying the case in which the first control
target device 200A is decided as the transmission target control
target device in the process of Step S804 that corresponds to the
process (1) (decision process) described above.
When the transmission target control target device is decided in
Step S804, the information processing device 100 starts
communication with the first control target device 200A that is the
transmission target control target device through the third
communication path (S806) as in Step S706 shown in FIG. 8.
When the communication with the first control target device 200A
that is the transmission target control target device is started
through the third communication path in Step S806, the information
processing device 100 causes the connection information B of the
second control target device 200B (connection information of the
other control target device) to be transmitted to the first control
target device 200A that is the transmission target control target
device through the third communication path (S808).
Here, in FIG. 9, since the first control target device 200A has the
function of processing data received through the third
communication path, the first control target device 200A can
receive the connection information B transmitted in Step S808 and
process the received connection information B. Thus, the first
control target device 200A that has received the connection
information B transmitted in Step S808 starts communication with
the first control target device 200A through the second
communication path using the received connection information B of
the second control target device 200B (S810). In the example shown
in FIG. 9, the second control target device 200B performs
communication with the first control target device 200A using the
communication interface that corresponds to IEEE 802.15.1.
When neither the first control target device 200A nor the second
control target device 200B does not have the function of processing
data received through the first communication path, for example,
the process shown in FIG. 9 is performed in the information
processing system according to the present embodiment, and thereby
communication between the first control target device 200A and the
second control target device 200B is performed through the second
communication path. Thus, by performing, for example, the process
shown in FIG. 9, the information processing device 100 can control
the communication between the control target devices.
When the combination of presence or absence of the process
capabilities of the first control target device and the second
control target device with respect to data received through the
first communication path is the third combination, the information
processing device according to the present embodiment performs, for
example the process relating to the fifth example shown in FIG. 8
or the process relating to the sixth example shown in FIG. 9. Note
that the process of the information processing device according to
the present embodiment performed when the combination of presence
or absence of the process capabilities of the first control target
device and the second control target device with respect to data
received through the first communication path is the third
combination is not limited to the process relating to the fifth
example or the process relating to the sixth example described
above.
FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the process
performed in the information processing system according to the
present embodiment. FIG. 10 shows the example of the process
performed in the information processing system according to the
present embodiment when the combination of presence or absence of
the process capabilities of the first control target device and the
second control target device with respect to data received through
the first communication path is the third combination. In addition,
FIG. 10 shows the example of the process when the information
processing system has the configuration shown in FIG. 9.
Note that, in FIG. 10, the communication performed between the
information processing device 100 and the NFC tag affixed to the
first control target device 200A through the first communication
path is expressed as communication between the information
processing device 100 and the first control target device 200A
through the first communication path for the sake of convenience of
description. In addition, in FIG. 10, the communication performed
between the information processing device 100 and the NFC tag
affixed to the second control target device 200B through the first
communication path is expressed as communication between the
information processing device 100 and the second control target
device 200B through the first communication path for the sake of
convenience of description.
The information processing device 100 and the NFC tag affixed to
the first control target device 200A perform a connection process
for performing communication through the first communication path
(S900) as in Step S300 shown in FIG. 4.
When the process of Step S900 is performed, the information
processing device 100 transmits a capability information
transmission request that includes a transmission command for
causing capability information to be transmitted through the first
communication path (S902) as in Step S302 shown in FIG. 4.
The NFC tag affixed to the first control target device 200A that
has received the capability information transmission request
transmitted in Step S902 transmits the stored capability
information A of the first control target device 200A based on the
capability information transmission request through the first
communication path (S904) as in Step S304 shown in FIG. 4.
The information processing device 100 that has received the
capability information A transmitted from the first control target
device 200A in Step S904 notifies a user of a start notification
for starting communication with the second control target device
200B through the first communication path (S906) as in Step S306
shown in FIG. 4.
When the process of Step S906 is performed, the information
processing device 100 and the NFC tag affixed to the second control
target device 200B perform a connection process for performing
communication through the first communication path (S908). In Step
S908, the information processing device 100 plays the role of a
reader-writer.
When the process of Step S908 is performed, the information
processing device 100 transmits a capability information
transmission request through the first communication path (S910) as
in Step S310 shown in FIG. 4.
The NFC tag affixed to the second control target device 200B that
has received the capability information transmission request
transmitted in Step S910 transmits the stored capability
information B of the second control target device 200B based on the
capability information transmission request through the first
communication path (S912) as in Step S312 shown in FIG. 4.
The NFC tag affixed to the information processing device 100 that
has received the capability information B transmitted from the
second control target device 200B in Step S912 decides a
transmission target control target device based on the capability
information A received in Step S904 and the capability information
B received in Step S912 (S914).
Here, since FIG. 10 is an example of the process in the case of the
configuration shown in FIG. 9, neither the first control target
device 200A nor the second control target device 200B has the
function of processing data received through the first
communication path. The information processing device 100 decides a
transmission target control target device based on, for example, an
order of acquiring the capability information, set priorities, or a
user operation in Step S914.
Hereinbelow, an example of the process relating to the information
processing method according to the present embodiment will be
described exemplifying the case in which the first control target
device 200A is decided as the transmission target control target
device in the process of Step S914. Note that, when the second
control target device 200B is decided as the transmission target
control target device in the process of Step S914, the information
processing device 100 performs, for example, the processes from
Step S316 shown in FIG. 4, rather than the processes from Step S916
to be described below.
When the transmission target control target device is decided in
Step S914, the information processing device 100 starts
communication with the first control target device 200A through the
third communication path (S916). The information processing device
100 performs the communication with the first control target device
200A through the third communication path based on, for example,
connection information included in the capability information A of
the first control target device 200A acquired in Step S904. Note
that, when the transmission target control target device is decided
in Step S914, the information processing device 100 may notify the
user of the decided transmission target control target device.
When the process of Step S916 is performed, the information
processing device 100 transmits the connection information B of the
second control target device 200B to the first control target
device 200A that is the transmission target control target device
through the third communication path (S918).
The first control target device 200A transmits a response signal
according to the reception result of the connection information B
transmitted in Step S918 through the third communication path
(S920).
The information processing device 100 that has received the
response signal transmitted from the first control target device
200A in Step S920 gives a notification to the user based on the
response signal (S922) as in Step S320 shown in FIG. 4.
The first control target device 200A that has received the
connection information B transmitted in Step S918 starts
communication with the second control target device 200B through
the second communication path using the connection information B of
the second control target device 200B (S924).
By performing, for example, the process shown in FIG. 10 in the
information processing system according to the present embodiment,
the first control target device 200A and the second control target
device 200B perform communication with each other through the
second communication path. Here, in FIG. 10, the process of Step
S914 corresponds to the process (1) (decision process) described
above, and the process of Step S918 corresponds to the process (2)
(transmission control process) described above. Thus, by
performing, for example, the process shown in FIG. 10, the
information processing device 100 can control communication between
the control target devices.
Note that it is needless to say that a process performed in the
information processing system according to the present embodiment
is not limited to the process shown in FIG. 10.
(D) Another Example of the Process Relating to the Information
Processing Method According to the Present Embodiment
In (A) to (C) described above, the examples of "the process
relating to the information processing method according to the
present embodiment when the process capability information
according to the present embodiment is included in at least one of
the capability information of the first control target device and
the capability information of the second control target device
which are acquired through the first communication path" have been
shown as examples of the process relating to the information
processing method according to the present embodiment. The
information processing device according to the present embodiment,
however, can acquire the process capability information in
communication to be performed with at least one of the first
control target device and the second control target device, which
relates to the establishment of a session of the first
communication path as described above. Thus, next, as another
example of the process relating to the information processing
method according to the present embodiment, an example of the
process relating to the information processing method according to
the present embodiment when the information processing device
according to the present embodiment acquires the process capability
information in the communication which relates to the establishment
of a session of the first communication path will be described.
FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the process
performed in the information processing system according to the
present embodiment. FIG. 11 shows the example of the process
performed in the information processing system according to the
present embodiment when the combination of presence or absence of
the process capabilities of the first control target device and the
second control target device with respect to data received through
the first communication path is the first combination. In addition,
FIG. 11 shows the example of the process when the information
processing system has the configuration shown in FIG. 2. Here,
Steps S1000 to S1008 and S1016 to S1024 shown in FIG. 11 correspond
to the process relating to communication for the establishment of a
session of the first communication path according to the present
embodiment.
The information processing device 100 transmits a polling signal
(S1000). Here, the information processing device 100 may transmit
the polling signal, for example, regularly or irregularly, or may
transmit the polling signal when a user operation that indicates a
start of a polling is detected or when a sensor such as an infrared
ray sensor detects an external device.
The first control target device 200A that has received the polling
signal transmitted from the information processing device 100 in
Step S1000 transmits a polling response signal (S1002).
The information processing device 100 that has received the polling
response signal transmitted from the first control target device
200A in Step S1002 transmits an attribute request that requests
transmission of attribute information (S1004).
Here, as attribute information according to the present embodiment,
for example, information (data) that indicates a communication
speed supported by the device itself or the like is exemplified. In
addition, the process capability information according to the
present embodiment may be information included in the attribute
information according to the present embodiment.
The attribute request according to the present embodiment includes,
for example, a process capability information transmission request
that requests transmission of the process capability information
according to the present embodiment. In addition, when the process
capability information according to the present embodiment is the
information included in the attribute information according to the
present embodiment, the attribute request according to the present
embodiment may play the role of, for example, the process
capability information transmission request that requests the
transmission of the process capability information according to the
present embodiment. Note that the information processing device 100
can also transmit, for example, the attribute request according to
the present embodiment and the process capability information
transmission request according to the present embodiment in
communication through the first communication path of a different
transaction.
The first control target device 200A that has received the
attribute request transmitted from the information processing
device 100 in Step S1004 transmits the attribute information and
the process capability information (S1006).
When the processes of Steps S1000 to S1006 are performed between
the information processing device 100 and the first control target
device 200A, the information processing device 100 and the first
control target device 200A perform a session establishment process
(S1008). As the process of Step S1008 is performed, the first
communication path between the information processing device 100
and the first control target device 200A is the first communication
path of which a session has been established. Here, as the session
establishment process according to the present embodiment, for
example, a process defined in "5.6 Connection-oriented Transport
Mode Procedures" of NFC Logical Link Control Protocol (LLCP)
Technical Specification Version 1.1 is exemplified.
When the process of Step S1008 is performed, the information
processing device 100 transmits a capability information
transmission request that includes a transmission command for
causing capability information to be transmitted through the first
communication path (S1010) as in Step S302 shown in FIG. 4.
The first control target device 200A that has received the
capability information transmission request transmitted in Step
S1010 transmits the stored capability information A of the first
control target device 200A based on the capability information
transmission request through the first communication path (S1012)
as in Step S304 shown in FIG. 4.
The information processing device 100 that has received the
capability information A transmitted from the first control target
device 200A in Step S1012 notifies a user of a start notification
for starting communication with the second control target device
200B through the first communication path (S1014) as in Step S306
shown in FIG. 4.
When the process of Step S1014 is performed, the information
processing device 100 transmits a polling signal (S1016) as in Step
S1000.
The second control target device 200B that has received the polling
signal transmitted from the information processing device 100 in
Step S1016 transmits a polling response signal (S1018) as in Step
S1002.
The information processing device 100 that has received the polling
response signal transmitted from the second control target device
200B in Step S1018 transmits an attribute request that requests
transmission of attribute information (S1020) as in Step S1004.
The second control target device 200B that has received the
attribute request transmitted from the information processing
device 100 in Step S1020 transmits the attribute information and
the process capability information (S1022) as in Step S1006.
When the processes of Steps S1016 to S1022 are performed between
the information processing device 100 and the second control target
device 200B, the information processing device 100 and the second
control target device 200B perform a session establishment process
(S1024) as in Step S1008. As the process of Step S1024 is
performed, the first communication path between the information
processing device 100 and the second control target device 200B is
the first communication path of which a session has been
established.
When the process of Step S1024 is performed, the information
processing device 100 transmits a capability information
transmission request through the first communication path (S1016)
as in Step S302 shown in FIG. 4.
The second control target device 200B that has received the
capability information transmission request transmitted in Step
S1016 transmits the stored capability information B of the second
control target device 200B based on the capability information
transmission request through the first communication path (S1018)
as in Step S304 shown in FIG. 4.
The information processing device 100 that has received the
capability information B transmitted from the second control target
device 200B in Step S1018 decides a transmission target control
target device based on the process capability information of the
first control target device 200A received in Step S1006 and the
process capability information of the second control target device
200B received in Step S1022 (S1030). Here, since FIG. 11 is an
example of the process in the case of the configuration shown in
FIG. 2, the first control target device 200A does not have the
function of processing data received through the first
communication path, and the second control target device 200B has
the function of processing data received through the first
communication path. Thus, the information processing device 100
decides the second control target device 200B as the transmission
target control target device in Step S1030.
When the transmission target control target device is decided in
Step S1030, the information processing device 100 transmits the
connection information A of the first control target device 200A to
the second control target device 200B that is the transmission
target control target device (S1032) as in Step S316 shown in FIG.
4.
The second control target device 200B transmits a response signal
according to the reception result of the connection information A
transmitted in Step S1032 (S1034) as in Step S318 shown in FIG.
4.
The information processing device 100 that has received the
response signal transmitted from the second control target device
200B in Step S1034 gives a notification to the user based on the
response signal (S1036) as in Step S320 shown in FIG. 4.
The second control target device 200B that has received the
connection information A transmitted in Step S1036 starts
communication with the first control target device 200A through the
second communication path using the received connection information
A of the first control target device 200A (S1 Here, in FIG. 2,
since the second control target device 200B has the function of
processing data received through the first communication path, the
second control target device 200B can receive the connection
information A transmitted in Step S106 and process the received
connection information A. Thus, the second control target device
200B that has received the connection information A transmitted in
Step S106 starts communication with the first control target device
200A through the second communication path using the received
connection information A of the first control target device 200A
(S108). In the example shown in FIG. 2, the second control target
device 200B performs communication with the first control target
device 200A using a communication interface that responds to IEEE
802.15.1.038) as in Step S322 shown in FIG. 4.
By performing, for example, the process shown in FIG. 11 in the
information processing system according to the present embodiment,
the first control target device 200A and the second control target
device 200B perform communication with each other through the
second communication path. Here, in FIG. 11, the process of Step
S1030 corresponds to the process (1) (decision process) described
above, and the process of Step S1032 corresponds to the process (2)
(transmission control process) described above. Thus, by
performing, for example, the process shown in FIG. 11, the
information processing device 100 can control communication between
the control target devices.
Note that a "process performed in the information processing system
according to the present embodiment when the information processing
device according to the present embodiment acquires the process
capability information in the communication that relates to the
establishment of a session of the first communication path" is not
limited to application to the process performed when the
combination of presence or absence of the process capabilities of
the first control target device and the second control target
device with respect to data received through the first
communication path is the first combination as shown in FIG.
11.
For example, the "process performed in the information processing
system according to the present embodiment when the information
processing device according to the present embodiment acquires the
process capability information in the communication that relates to
the establishment of a session of the first communication path" can
be applied to the process performed when the combination of
presence or absence of the process capabilities of the first
control target device and the second control target device with
respect to data received through the first communication path is
the second combination as shown in FIG. 7, since the same processes
as those of Steps S1000 to S1008 shown in FIG. 11 are performed in
the connection processes (Steps S600 and S608 of FIG. 7) shown in
FIG. 7. In addition, the "process performed in the information
processing system according to the present embodiment when the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
acquires the process capability information in the communication
that relates to the establishment of a session of the first
communication path" can also be applied to, for example, the
process performed when the combination of presence or absence of
the process capabilities of the first control target device and the
second control target device with respect to data received through
the first communication path is the third combination as shown in
FIG. 10, since the same processes as those of Steps S1000 to S1008
shown in FIG. 11 are performed in the connection processes (Steps
S900 and S908 of FIG. 10) shown in FIG. 10. Here, when the "process
performed in the information processing system according to the
present embodiment when the information processing device according
to the present embodiment acquires the process capability
information in the communication that relates to the establishment
of a session of the first communication path" is applied to the
process in the case of the second combination or the process in the
case of the third combination, the capability information acquired
by the information processing device 100 from each of the control
target devices in FIGS. 7 and 10 is, for example, information that
includes the connection information and does not include the
process capability information.
(Information Processing Device According to the Present
Embodiment)
Next, an example of a configuration of the information processing
device according to the present embodiment which can perform the
process relating to the information processing method according to
the present embodiment described above will be described. FIG. 12
is a block diagram showing the example of the configuration of the
information processing device 100 according to the present
embodiment. Here, FIG. 12 also shows the first control target
device 200A according to the present embodiment and the second
control target device 200B together.
The information processing device 100 has a first communication
unit 102, a second communication unit 104, and a control unit
106.
In addition, the information processing device 100 may also have,
for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory; not illustrated), a RAM
(Random Access Memory; not illustrated), a storage unit (not
illustrated), an operation unit that a user can operate (not
illustrated), a display unit that causes various kinds of screens
to be displayed on the display screen (not illustrated), and the
like. The information processing device 100 causes the constituent
elements described above to be connected to each other using, for
example, a bus serving as a transmission path of data.
Here, the ROM (not illustrated) stores data for control such as
programs, and arithmetic operation parameters that the control unit
106 uses. The RAM (not illustrated) temporarily stores programs and
the like executed by the control unit 106.
The storage unit (not illustrated) is a storage section that the
information processing device 100 has, which stores various types
of data, for example, data constituting a UI (User Interface),
applications, and the like. Here, as the storage unit (not
illustrated), for example, a magnetic recording medium such as a
hard disk, a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically
Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) or a flash memory, and
the like are exemplified. In addition, the storage unit (not
illustrated) may be attached to or detached from the information
processing device 100.
In addition, as the operation unit (not illustrated), an operation
input device to be described later is exemplified, and as the
display unit (not illustrated), a display device to be described
later is exemplified.
[Hardware Configuration Example of the Information Processing
Device 100]
FIG. 13 is an illustrative diagram showing an example of a hardware
configuration of the information processing device 100 according to
the present embodiment. The information processing device 100 has,
for example, an MPU 150, a ROM 152, a RAM 154, a recording medium
156, an input and output interface 158, an operation input device
160, a display device 162, a first communication interface 164, and
a first communication interface 166. In addition, the information
processing device 100 causes the constituent elements to be
connected to each other using, for example, a bus 168 serving as a
transmission path of data.
The MPU 150 is constituted by, for example, an MPU (Micro
Processing Unit), various kinds of processing circuits, and the
like functioning as the control unit 106 that controls the entire
information processing device 100. In addition, the MPU 150 plays,
for example, the role of a decision unit 110 and a transmission
control unit 112 to be described later in the information
processing device 100.
The ROM 152 stores data for control such as programs, arithmetic
operation parameters, and the like that the MPU 150 uses. The RAM
154 temporarily stores, for example, programs executed by the MPU
150 and the like.
The recording medium 156 functions as a storage unit (not
illustrated), and stores various kinds of data, for example, data
constituting a UI, applications, and the like. Here, as the
recording medium 156, for example, a magnetic recording medium such
as a hard disk, or a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory is
exemplified. In addition, the recording medium 156 may be attached
to or detached from the information processing device 100.
The input and output interface 158 is connected to, for example,
the operation input device 160 and the display device 162. The
operation input device 160 functions as an operation unit (not
illustrated), and the display device 162 functions as a display
unit (not illustrated). Here, as the input and output interface
158, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal, a DVI
(Digital Visual Interface) terminal, an HDMI (High-Definition
Multimedia Interface) terminal, various processing circuits, and
the like are exemplified. In addition, the operation input device
160 is provided, for example, on the information processing device
100 and connected to the input and output interface 158 in the
inside of the information processing device 100. As the operation
input device 160, for example, buttons, arrow keys, a rotation type
selector such as a jog dial or a combination thereof, and the like
are exemplified. In addition, the display device 162 is provided,
for example, on the information processing device 100 and connected
to the input and output interface 158 in the inside of the
information processing device 100. As the display device 162, for
example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display (Organic
Electro-Luminescence display; also called an OLED display (Organic
Light Emitting Diode display)), and the like is exemplified.
Note that it is needless to say that the input and output interface
158 can be connected to an external device such as an operation
input device serving as an external device of the information
processing device 100 (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or the
like), a display device, or various communication devices having
the function of performing communication through the first
communication path or a third communication path. In addition, the
display device 162 may be a device that can perform display and a
user operation, for example, a touch screen, or the like.
The first communication interface 164 is a first communication
means that the information processing device 100 has, functioning
as the first communication unit 102 that performs communication
with an external device such as the first control target device
200A or the second control target device 200B through the first
communication path. Here, as the first communication interface 164,
for example, an NFC interface that has a wireless communication
antenna circuit and a carrier wave transmission circuit is
exemplified.
The wireless communication antenna circuit constituting the first
communication interface 164 plays the role of forming the first
communication path between an external device. The wireless
communication antenna circuit is constituted by a resonance circuit
and a demodulating circuit that include a coil having a
predetermined inductance and a capacitor having a predetermined
electrostatic capacity as transmission and reception antennas. In
addition, the wireless communication antenna circuit demodulates,
for example, data transmitted from an external device or the like
by receiving an electric field (carrier wave) of 13.56 MHz.
In addition, the carrier wave transmission circuit constituting the
first communication interface 164 includes, for example, a
modulating circuit that performs modulation of ASK or the like and
an amplifying circuit that amplifies outputs of the modulating
circuit, and transmits carrier waves which carry carrier wave
signals from the transmission-reception antenna of the wireless
communication antenna circuit. By including the carrier wave
transmission circuit, the information processing device 100 can
have the function of an initiator in NFC and can play the role of a
so-called reader-writer. Here, as the carrier wave signals that the
carrier wave transmission circuit transmits from the wireless
communication antenna circuit and transmits, for example, signals
indicating a capability information transmission request,
connection information, and the like are exemplified. In addition,
the transmission of the carrier waves of the carrier wave
transmission circuit is controlled by, for example, the MPU
150.
The first communication interface 164 functions as the first
communication unit 102 that forms the first communication path by
having an NFC interface constituted by, for example, such a
wireless communication antenna circuit and the carrier wave
transmission circuit described above. Note that the first
communication interface 164 is not limited to the NFC interface.
For example, when the first communication path is formed through
infrared ray communication, the information processing device 100
has an infrared ray communication interface constituted by an
infrared ray port, a transmission-reception circuit, and the like
as the first communication interface 164.
The second communication interface 166 is a second communication
means that the information processing device 100 has, functioning
as a second communication unit 104 that performs communication with
an external device such as a first control target device 200A, a
second control target device 200B, or a server through the third
communication path. Here, as the second communication interface
164, for example, an IEEE 802.15.1 port and a
transmission-reception circuit, an IEEE 802.11b port and a
transmission-reception circuit, and the like are exemplified.
The information processing device 100 performs the process relating
to the information processing method according to the present
embodiment with, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 13.
Note that a hardware configuration of the information processing
device 100 according to the present embodiment is not limited to
the configuration shown in FIG. 13. In the case of a configuration
in which communication through the first communication path or
communication through the third communication path is performed
with a connected external communication device, for example, the
information processing device 100 may not have the first
communication interface 164 and/or the second communication
interface 166.
In addition, the information processing device 100 may further
have, for example, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) and an audio
output device. As the audio output device according to the present
embodiment, for example, an amplifier (amp), a speaker, and the
like are exemplified. When the DSP and the audio output device are
further provided, the information processing device 100 can give
various kinds of notifications such as a start notification for
starting communication through the first communication path or an
error notification using a sound output from the audio output
device.
In addition, the information processing device 100 can also have
the configuration without, for example, the operation device 160 or
the display device 162.
Referring to FIG. 12 again, an example of the configuration of the
information processing device 100 will be described. The first
communication unit 102 plays the role of performing communication
with an external device such as the first control target device
200A or the second control target device 200B through the first
communication path. Here, as the first communication unit 102, for
example, a communication device that responds to a communication
scheme that forms the first communication path such as an NFC
interface or an infrared ray communication interface is
exemplified.
The second communication unit 104 plays the role of performing
communication with an external device such as the first control
target device 200A or the second control target device 200B through
the third communication path. Here, as the second communication
unit 104, for example, a communication device that responds to a
communication scheme that forms the third communication path such
as an IEEE 802.15.1 port and a transmission-reception circuit, an
IEEE 802.11b port and a transmission-reception circuit, and the
like is exemplified
The control unit 106 is constituted by, for example an MPU, various
kinds of processing circuits, and the like, playing the role of
controlling the entire information processing device 100. In
addition, the control unit 106 has, for example, the decision unit
110 and the transmission control unit 112, playing the main role of
performing the process relating to the information processing
method according to the present embodiment.
The decision unit 110 plays the main role of performing the process
(1) (decision process) described above to decide a transmission
target control target device between the first control target
device 200A or the second control target device 200B based on
process capability information acquired from at least one of the
first control target device or the second control target device
through the first communication path.
To be more specific, the decision unit 110 decides a transmission
target control target device based on, for example, process
capability information that can be included in acquired capability
information or process capability information acquired in
communication that relates to the establishment of a session of the
first communication path. When, for example, both of the process
capability information of the first control target device and the
process capability information of the second control target device
are acquired, such as when both of the acquired capability
information of the first control target device and capability
information of the second control target device include the process
capability information, the decision unit 110 determines a
combination of presence or absence of the process capabilities of
the first control target device 200A and the second control target
device 200B with respect to data received through the first
communication path based on, for example the process capability
information of the first control target device 200A and the process
capability information of the second control target device 200B. In
addition, when the process capability information of a control
target device is not acquired, such as when the acquired capability
information of a control target device does not include the process
capability information, the decision unit 110 determines the
combination of presence or absence of the process capabilities of
the first control target device 200A and the second control target
device 200B with respect to data received through the first
communication path by assuming that, for example, the corresponding
control target device does not have the process capability with
respect to data received through the first communication path.
Then, based on the determined combination, the decision unit 110
decides a transmission target control target device by performing,
for example, the process relating to the first example, the process
relating to the second example, or the process relating to the
third example shown in (1-1) to (1-3) described above.
In addition, the decision unit 110 decides a communication scheme
for the second communication path based on, for example, connection
information of the first control target device 200A, connection
information of the second control target device 200B, or a user
operation.
In addition, when the connection information includes information
indicating a term of validity that enables use of the connection
information in other devices, the decision unit 110 selectively
sets the connection information to be in an invalid state based on,
for example, such information indicating a term of validity. In
addition, when the connection information includes information
indicating a term of validity within which another device is
allowed to use the connection information, the decision unit 110
may give, for example, a notification relating to the information
indicating the term of validity to a user. Here, as the
notification relating to the information indicating the term of
validity, for example, a notification relating to the term of
validity represented by the information indicating the term of
validity, a notification indicating that the term of validity of
the acquired connection information has expired, or the like is
exemplified.
The transmission control unit 112 plays the main role of performing
the process (2) (transmission control process) described above to
transmit connection information of the other control target device
to the transmission target control target device decided by the
decision unit 110.
To be more specific, the transmission control unit 112 causes the
connection information to be transmitted through, for example, the
communication path that responds to the combination of presence or
absence of the process capabilities with respect to data received
through the first communication path which is determined by the
decision unit 110. In addition, the transmission control unit 112
causes, for example, the connection information that responds to
the communication scheme decided by the decision unit 110 to be
transmitted.
Here, in the case in which the connection information is to be
transmitted through the first communication path, when the
connection information can be transmitted to a transmission target
control target device through the first communication path that
relates to acquisition of the process capability information of the
transmission target control target device, the transmission control
unit 112 causes, for example, connection information to be
transmitted through the first communication path that relates to
the acquisition of the process capability information. In addition,
in the case in which the connection information is to be
transmitted through the first communication path, when it is
difficult to transmit the connection information to the
transmission target control target device through the first
communication path that relates to the acquisition of the process
capability information of the transmission target control target
device, the transmission control unit 112 causes communication with
the transmission target control target device through the first
communication path to be performed again. Then, the transmission
control unit 112 causes the connection information to be
transmitted to the transmission target control target device
through the first communication path that is formed again.
Note that, when the connection information is transmitted through
the first communication path, the first communication path through
which the transmission control unit 112 causes the connection
information to be transmitted is not limited to the above. For
example, in the case in which the connection information is
transmitted through the first communication path, even when the
connection information can be transmitted to the transmission
target control target device through the first communication path
that relates to the acquisition of the process capability
information of the transmission target control target device, the
transmission control unit 112 may cause communication with the
transmission target control target device through the first
communication path to be performed again.
As the control unit 106 has, for example, the decision unit 110 and
the transmission control unit 112, the control unit leads the
process relating to the information processing method according to
the present embodiment.
Note that a configuration of the control unit according to the
present embodiment is not limited to the above. For example, the
information processing device according to the present embodiment
may further have a notification control unit (not illustrated) that
causes the display unit, an external display device, or the like to
give various kinds of notifications such as a start notification
for starting communication through the first communication path, an
error notification, or a notification that relates to information
indicating a term of validity. When the notification control unit
(not illustrated) is provided, for example, the notification
control unit (not illustrated) gives various kinds of notifications
according to the present embodiment in the information processing
device according to the present embodiment.
In addition, for example, the information processing device
according to the present embodiment can have one or two or more of
the decision unit 110, the transmission control unit 112, and the
notification control unit (not illustrated) that constitute the
control unit separately (for example, each of the units can be
realized as a separate processing circuit).
The information processing device 100 performs the process relating
to the information processing method according to the present
embodiment (for example, the process (1) (decision process)
described above, and the process (2) (transmission control process)
described above) with, for example, the configuration shown in FIG.
12. Accordingly, the information processing device 100 can control
communication performed between the control target devices with,
for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 12.
Note that a configuration of the information processing device
according to the present embodiment is not limited to the
configuration shown in FIG. 12. For example, in the case of a
configuration in which communication through the first
communication path or communication through the third communication
path is performed using a connected external communication device,
the information processing device according to the present
embodiment may have the configuration without the first
communication unit 102 and/or the second communication unit 104.
Even with the configuration without the first communication unit
102 and/or the second communication unit 104, the information
processing device according to the present embodiment can perform
the communication through the first communication path and/or
communication through the third communication path with an external
device such as a control target device using the external
communication device. Thus, even with the configuration without the
first communication unit 102 and/or the second communication unit
104, the information processing device according to the present
embodiment can control communication performed between the control
target devices in the same manner as the information processing
device 100 shown in FIG. 12.
In addition, the information processing device according to the
present embodiment may further have, for example, an audio output
unit (not illustrated) that can output sounds. Here, as the audio
output unit (not illustrated), for example, a DSP and an audio
output device are exemplified. When the audio output unit (not
illustrated) is provided, the information processing device
according to the present embodiment can give various kinds of
notifications according to the present embodiment to a user using
sounds output from the audio output unit (not illustrated).
As described above, the information processing device according to
the present embodiment performs, for example, the process (1)
(decision process) described above and the process (2)
(transmission control process) described above as processes
relating to the information processing method according to the
present embodiment. Here, the information processing device
according to the present embodiment decides a transmission target
control target device (a control target device to which the
connection information of the other control target device is to be
transmitted) in the process (1) (decision process) described above,
and causes the connection information of the other control target
device to be transmitted to the decided transmission target control
target device in the process (2) (transmission control process)
described above. In addition, the transmission target control
target device decided in the process (1) (decision process)
described above is a control target device between the first
control target device and the second control target device that can
receive the connection information of the other control target
device and process the connection information.
Thus, as the information processing device according to the present
embodiment performs the process (1) (decision process) described
above and the process (2) (transmission control process) described
above, the transmission target control target device can perform
communication with the other control target device through the
second communication path using the connection information. In
other words, as the information processing device according to the
present embodiment performs the process (1) (decision process)
described above and the process (2) (transmission control process)
described above, the first control target device and the second
control target device can perform communication with each other
through the second communication path even when, for example, one
or each of the first control target device and the second control
target device is a device to which an NFC tag or the like is
affixed.
Therefore, the information processing device according to the
present embodiment can control the communication performed between
the control target devices by performing the processes relating to
the information processing method according to the present
embodiment. In addition, as the information processing device
according to the present embodiment controls the communication
performed between the control target devices, various kinds of
handover between the control target devices can be realized.
In addition, since the information processing method according to
the present embodiment causes the connection information of the
other control target device to be transmitted to the transmission
target control target device, it is not necessary for the user to
be aware of the authentication process or the setting process for
the first control target device and the second control target
device to perform the communication through the second
communication path. Thus, the information processing method
according to the present embodiment can enhance convenience for the
user by performing the processes relating to the information
processing method according to the present embodiment.
Hereinabove, the information processing device has been described
to exemplify the present embodiment, however, the present
embodiment is not limited thereto. The present embodiment can be
applied to various devices, for example, a communication device
such as a mobile telephone, or a smartphone, a computer such as a
PC, a tablet-type device, a video and music reproduction device (or
video and music recording and reproduction device), a game device,
an imaging device such as a digital still camera or a digital video
camera, and the like. In addition, the present embodiment can also
be applied to, for example, a processing IC that can be
incorporated into the devices described above.
In addition, the control target device has been described to
exemplify the present embodiment, however, the present embodiment
is not limited thereto. The present embodiment can be applied to
various devices, for example, a computer such as a PC, a
communication device such as a mobile telephone, or a smartphone, a
tablet-type device, a printer, a video and music reproduction
device (or video and music recording and reproduction device), a
game device, an imaging device such as a digital still camera or a
digital video camera, and the like.
(Program According to the Present Embodiment)
As a program for causing a computer to function as the information
processing device according to the present embodiment (program that
can execute the process relating to the information processing
method according to the present embodiment, for example, the
process (1) (decision process) described above, the process (2)
(transmission control process) described above, and the like) is
executed in the computer, communication between control target
devices can be controlled.
The preferred embodiment of the present disclosure has been
described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, whilst
the present invention is not limited to the above examples, of
course. A person skilled in the art may find various alternations
and modifications within the scope of the appended claims, and it
should be understood that they will naturally come under the
technical scope of the present invention.
For example, in the above description, provision of a program for
causing a computer to function as the information processing device
according to the present embodiment (computer program) is shown,
however, the present embodiment can further provide a recording
medium on which the program is stored.
The configuration described above is an example of the present
embodiment, and of course falls within the technical scope of the
present disclosure.
Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as
below.
(1)
An information processing device including:
a decision unit configured to decide, based on process capability
information acquired through a first communication path from at
least one of a first control target device and a second control
target device which are target devices to be caused to perform
wireless communication through a second communication path that is
different from the first communication path, the process capability
information indicating whether or not it is possible to process
data received through the first communication path, a transmission
target control target device between the first control target
device and the second control target device, which is a control
target device to which connection information of the other control
target device is to be transmitted out of connection information
acquired from each of the first control target device and the
second control target device through the first communication path
for starting communication through the second communication path;
and a transmission control unit configured to cause the connection
information of the other control target device to be transmitted to
the transmission target control target device.
(2)
The information processing device according to (1),
wherein, when the process capability information of the first
control target device and the process capability information of the
second control target device are acquired, the decision unit
determines a combination of presence or absence of process
capabilities of the first control target device and the second
control target device with respect to data received through the
first communication path based on the process capability
information of the first control target device and the process
capability information of the second control target device, and
decides the transmission target control target device based on the
determined combination.
(3)
The information processing device according to (2), wherein, when
the process capability information of one of the control target
devices indicates that it is possible to process data received
through the first communication path and the process capability
information of the other control target device does not indicate
that it is possible to process data received through the first
communication path, the decision unit decides the one control
target device as the transmission target control target device.
(4)
The information processing device according to (3), wherein, when
it is not possible to cause the connection information of the other
control target device to be transmitted to the one control target
device through the first communication path through which the
process capability information has been acquired, the transmission
control unit causes communication with the one control target
device through the first communication path to be performed again
to cause the connection information of the other control target
device to be transmitted to the one control target device.
(5)
The information processing device according to any one of (2) to
(4), wherein, when the process capability information of the one
control target device indicates that it is possible to process data
received through the first communication path and the process
capability information of the other control target device also
indicates that it is possible to process data received through the
first communication path, the decision unit decides a control
target device between the first control target device and the
second control target device which corresponds to the process
capability information that has been acquired later as the
transmission target control target device.
(6)
The information processing device according to any one of (2) to
(4), wherein, when the process capability information of the one
control target device indicates that it is possible to process data
received through the first communication path and the process
capability information of the other control target device also
indicates that it is possible to process data received through the
first communication path, the decision unit decides the
transmission target control target device based on the connection
information of the first control target device and the connection
information of the second control target device.
(7)
The information processing device according to any one of (2) to
(6), wherein, when the process capability information of the first
control target device does not indicate that it is possible to
process data received through the first communication path and the
process capability information of the second control target device
does not indicate that it is possible to process data received
through the first communication path either, the decision unit
determines presence or absence of process capabilities of each of
the first control target device and the second control target
device with respect to data received through a communication path
that is formed based on the connection information based on
connection information of the first control target device and
connection information of the second control target device, and
then decides the transmission target control target device based on
a determination result of the presence or absence of the process
capabilities with respect to data, or based on the determination
result and an order of acquiring the process capability
information, set priorities, or a user operation.
(8)
The information processing device according to (7), wherein the
transmission control unit causes the connection information of the
other control target device to be transmitted through a third
communication path that is formed based on the connection
information of the transmission target control target device.
(9)
The information processing device according to (1), wherein, when
the process capability information of the one control target device
is acquired and the process capability information of the other
control target device is not acquired, the decision unit assumes
that the other control target device does not have a process
capability with respect to data received through the first
communication path, determines a combination of presence or absence
of process capabilities of the first control target device and the
second control target device with respect to data received through
the first communication path based on the assumed process
capability of the other control target device with respect to data
received through the first communication path and the process
capability information of the one control target device, and then
decides the transmission target control target device based on the
determined combination.
(10)
The information processing device according to any one of (1) to
(9), wherein the decision unit decides a communication scheme for
the second communication path based on the connection information
of the first control target device and the connection information
of the second control target device, and wherein the transmission
control unit causes the connection information that responds to the
decided communication scheme to be transmitted.
(11)
The information processing device according to any one of (1) to
(9),
wherein the decision unit notifies a user of a communication scheme
in which the first control target device and the second control
target device are capable of communicating with each other based on
the connection information of the first control target device and
the connection information of the second control target device, and
decides a communication scheme for the second communication path
based on a user operation, and wherein the transmission control
unit causes the connection information that responds to the decided
communication scheme to be transmitted.
(12)
The information processing device according to any one of (1) to
(11),
wherein the connection information is included in capability
information which is acquired from each of the first control target
device and the second control target device through the first
communication path and which indicates a capability with respect to
communication, and
wherein at least one of the acquired capability information of the
first control target device and capability information of the
second control target device includes the process capability
information.
(13)
The information processing device according to any one of (1) to
(11),
wherein the process capability information is acquired in
communication that relates to establishment of a session of the
first communication path, which is performed with at least one of
the first control target device and the second control target
device, and
wherein the connection information is acquired from each of the
first control target device and the second control target device
through the first communication path of which a session has been
established.
(14)
The information processing device according to any one of (1) to
(13),
wherein the connection information includes information indicating
a term of validity within which another device is allowed to use
the connection information, and
wherein the decision unit gives a notification with respect to the
term of validity indicated by the information indicating the term
of validity included in the connection information of the other
control target device.
(15)
The information processing device according to any one of (1) to
(13),
wherein the connection information includes information indicating
a term of validity within which another device is allowed to use
the connection information, and
wherein, when the connection information of the other control
target device is not transmitted within the term of validity
indicated by the information indicating the term of validity
included in the connection information of the other control target
device, the decision unit sets the acquired connection information
to be in an invalid state.
(16)
The information processing device according to (15), wherein the
decision unit gives a notification that the term of validity of the
acquired connection information has expired.
(17)
An information processing method including:
a step of deciding, based on process capability information
acquired through a first communication path from at least one of a
first control target device and a second control target device
which are target devices to be caused to perform wireless
communication through a second communication path that is different
from the first communication path, the process capability
information indicating whether or not it is possible to process
data received through the first communication path, a transmission
target control target device between the first control target
device and the second control target device, which is a control
target device to which connection information of the other control
target device is to be transmitted out of connection information
acquired from each of the first control target device and the
second control target device through the first communication path
for starting communication through the second communication path;
and
a step of causing the connection information of the other control
target device to be transmitted to the transmission target control
target device.
(18)
A program causing a computer to execute:
a step of deciding, based on process capability information
acquired through a first communication path from at least one of a
first control target device and a second control target device
which are target devices to be caused to perform wireless
communication through a second communication path that is different
from the first communication path, the process capability
information indicating whether or not it is possible to process
data received through the first communication path, a transmission
target control target device between the first control target
device and the second control target device, which is a control
target device to which connection information of the other control
target device is to be transmitted out of connection information
acquired from each of the first control target device and the
second control target device through the first communication path
for starting communication through the second communication path;
and
a step of causing the connection information of the other control
target device to be transmitted to the transmission target control
target device.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
100 information processing device 102 first communication unit 104
second communication unit 106 control unit 110 decision unit 112
transmission control unit 200A first control target device 200B
second control target device
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